Category: India

Acting on a tip-off, the police conducted a raid late Saturday night in Harsaur village, where 9,550 kg of ammonium nitrate was recovered.

Ahead of Republic Day, police in Rajasthan’s Nagaur district seized a huge cache of explosives from a farm and arrested a man in connection with the recovery, officials said on Sunday.

Acting on a tip-off, the police conducted a raid late Saturday night in Harsaur village, where 9,550 kg of ammonium nitrate packed in 187 sacks was recovered from a field, Nagaur Superintendent of Police Mridul Kachhawa said.

Ammonium nitrate has previously been linked to major blast cases, including an explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort in November 2025, officials noted.

Suleman Khan, a resident of Harsaur village, was arrested at the spot. He has three previous criminal cases registered against him, the SP said.

Besides ammonium nitrate, police also seized a large quantity of explosive accessories, including nine cartons of detonators, 12 cartons and 15 bundles of blue fuse wire, and 12 cartons and five bundles of red fuse wire, officials said.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/10-000-kg-of-explosives-detonators-seized-in-rajasthan-on-republic-day-eve-10884513?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

Bangladesh’s foreign ministry said Sheikh’s allowing Hasina to make the speech set “a dangerous precedent” that could “seriously impair bilateral relations”.

Bangladesh said on Sunday it was “surprised” and “shocked” that India had allowed former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to make a public address in New Delhi.

78-year-old Sheikh Hasina has been in India since August 2024, following a student-led protest that ended her 15-year rule. She made her first public speech since then in an audio address to a packed press club in Delhi on Friday.

She was found guilty in absentia by a Dhaka court in November of incitement, issuing an order to kill and inaction to prevent atrocities and was sentenced to be hanged.

“The government and the people of Bangladesh are surprised and shocked. Allowing the event to take place in the Indian capital and letting mass murderer Hasina openly deliver her hate speech… constitute a clear affront to the people and the Government of Bangladesh,” Dhaka’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

It said allowing Hasina to make the speech set “a dangerous precedent” that could “seriously impair bilateral relations”.

What Sheikh Hasina had said

In her first public speech since her rule in Bangladesh ended, Sheikh Hasina on Friday urged the people to overthrow the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, as it cannot ensure free and fair polls. The address came less than three weeks before the general election scheduled for February 12.

Describing Yunus as a “corrupt, power-hungry traitor” who had a hand in a conspiracy to oust her government, Hasina said: “In this grave hour, the entire nation must rise united and galvanised by the spirit of our great Liberation War.

“To overthrow the foreign-serving puppet regime of this national enemy at any cost, the brave sons and daughters of Bangladesh must defend and restore the Constitution written in the blood of martyrs, reclaim our independence, safeguard our sovereignty, and revive our democracy,” she added.

Hasina also called for an end to acts of violence and lawlessness in Bangladesh and an “ironclad guarantee” for the safety of religious minorities, women and the most vulnerable sections of society. She demanded that the United Nations should conduct a “new and truly impartial investigation” into the events since the fall of her government.

She alleged Bangladesh was “plunged into an age of terror” after “Yunus and his anti-state militant accomplices” ousted her government in a “meticulously engineered conspiracy” in August 2024.

“Democracy is now in exile. Human rights have been trampled into the dust. Freedom of the press has been extinguished. Violence, torture, and sexual assault against women and girls remain unchecked. Religious minorities face continuous persecution. Law and order have collapsed,” she said in the address.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/shocked-bangladesh-protests-sheikh-hasinas-delhi-address-calls-her-mass-murderer-101769344722404.html

“Based on some internal inputs, a special team of Nagaur police conducted a raid at the accused, Suleman Khan’s residence in Nagaur’s Thanvla,” police said.

Jaipur: A 58-year-old man was arrested in Rajasthan’s Nagaur on Sunday after police seized 9,550 kg of ammonium nitrate from his house, police said.

“Based on some internal inputs, a special team of Nagaur police conducted a raid at the accused, Suleman Khan’s residence in Nagaur’s Thanvla on Sunday and found a huge amount of explosives,” Nagaur Superintendent of Police (SP) Mridul Kachhwa said.

According to the police, Suleman had hidden the explosives, including 9,550 kg of ammonium nitrate stored in 187 cartons, nine cartoon detonators, 15 bundles of blue wick wire, nine bundles of red wick wire, and more, at his field.

“The accused Suleman Khan also has three cases lodged against him at Nagaur’s Thanvla, Padukallan, and Alwar’s Chaupasni. All three cases are under the Explosives Act,” Kachhwa said.

Following the development, the police arrested Suleman and lodged a case against him under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Explosives Act, 1884. He has three previous criminal cases registered against him, the SP said.

“Prima facie, Suleman also used to supply explosives to mine owners. However, given the large amount seized, we suspect he might also be involved in some bigger plot. We may also contact central agencies for interrogating him,” another senior police officer said.

Ammonium nitrate has previously been linked to major blast cases, including an explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort in November 2025, officials noted.

On December 2, a pickup truck loaded with illegal explosives — capable of causing destruction across a radius of nearly 10 kilometres — was seized in Nathdwara Shrinathji. During the search of the vehicle, police recovered a large amount of explosive material, including 83 packets of ICL Prime X explosive weighing 2.78 kg each. The seized material included a total of 109 cartons containing 981 cartridges, and in a separate carton, TLHD (truck line detonator) totaling 100 pieces, and another 93 detonators fitted with DT Fuse. In addition, a safety fuse approximately 30 feet long was found.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/fashion/riddhima-kapoor-shares-wedding-video-on-20th-anniversary-heres-what-the-bride-and-a-young-ranbir-kapoor-wore-101769311411810.html

With nearly 6,000 personnel participating, the Republic Day celebration will also host European leaders, showcasing a theme of ‘150 years of Vande Mataram’.

A new rocket launcher system ‘Suryastra’, and a recently raised Bhairav light commando battalion will be among several new additions to the ceremonial parade on New Delhi’s Kartavya Path, as the nation is all set to celebrate its 77th Republic Day tomorrow.

Defence assets, including BrahMos, Akash missile system, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) systems, Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), Dhanush artillery gun, Shaktiban and a static display of some drones, would also be displayed at the parade, which will be led by General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, Lt Gen Bhavnish Kumar.

About 6,000 defence personnel will be a part of the parade, news agency PTI reported, quoting Delhi Area Chief of Staff, Major General Navraj Dhillon.

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, will be the chief guests at the parade, which will be themed ‘150 years of Vande Mataram’.

The many firsts on this Republic Day
The rocket launcher ‘Suryastra’, which is equipped with deep-strike capabilities, the newly raised Bhairav light commando battalion, four Zanskar ponies, two Bactrian camels, four raptors (kites) and a few Army dogs will be some of the new additions to the Republic Day parade, said Captain Harshita Raghav, who will lead the Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) contingent.

Universal Rocket Launcher System URLS ‘Suryastra’, is equipped to carry out surface-to-surface strikes up to 300 km.

The Bhairav light commando battalion, which was raised around October 2025 and made its debut at Jaipur’s Army Day parade on January 15, has been introduced to “bridge the gap” between the infantry and special forces, the report read.

The contingent members of the mounted 61 Cavalry in battle gear, along with key Army assets, including indigenous platforms accompanied by personnel, would also mark their first roll down in the ceremonial Republic Day parade at the Kartavya Path in a ‘phased battle array formation’.

Under the phased battle array formation, the forces will move down the ceremonial boulevard in a formation as they would in any battle scenario, starting with reconnaissance, followed by other military units such as logistics and personnel accompanying these platforms, who will be seen wearing battle gear.

The 61 Cavalry, dressed in its ceremonial uniform and striking headgear, has traditionally been the leading contingent in the armed forces’ parade each year. This time it would make its first appearance in battle gear.

The Shaktiban regiment, which has been set up in the artillery and equipped with a drone, counter-drone, and loiter munition, would also mark its first in the parade tomorrow.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bhairav-battalion-suryastra-rocket-launcher-system-the-many-firsts-at-republic-day-2026-parade-101769348914248.html

One police personnel sustained injuries due to the bomb attack, while another was injured while confronting the attackers, officials said. Both are reported to be out of danger.

Two police personnel were injured after a gang threw country-made bombs at a prison escort team transporting a convict in Tamil Nadu’s Perambalur district on Saturday, triggering a brief exchange of fire and a high-speed escape by the attackers.

Police said the target of the attack was Vellai Kali, a notorious criminal from Madurai with a long criminal history. The convict, who has around 30 cases pending against him, including nine murder cases, was lodged in Puzhal Central Prison in Chennai following his conviction in a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

According to investigators, Vellai Kali was produced before a Pudukkottai court on January 21 in connection with one of the cases against him and was later shifted to Dindigul sub-jail, from where he appeared virtually in a few other cases. He was being escorted back to Chennai when the attack took place.

The incident occurred when the escort vehicle stopped near a hotel in Perambalur district for lunch. At that point, a gang arrived in two SUVs, sped towards the convoy and threw country-made bombs allegedly aimed at eliminating the convict. In the ensuing chaos, the escort team’s sub-inspector opened fire, forcing the attackers to flee the spot. Vellai Kali escaped unhurt.

One police personnel sustained injuries due to the bomb attack, while another was injured while confronting the attackers, officials said. Both are reported to be out of danger.

As the gang fled, police launched a massive manhunt. One of the SUVs was later found abandoned in the Cuddalore district. CCTV footage from a toll plaza has reportedly captured visuals of the SUVs breaking open the toll gate barrier and speeding away, aiding investigators in tracking the escape route.

No arrests have been made so far. Police have formed five special teams to trace and arrest the suspects. Investigation is underway across multiple districts.

On the motive, a senior police officer told NDTV that investigators suspect an old rivalry to be behind the attack.

“We suspect a gang led by VK Gurusamy to be behind this. Both groups have an old feud,” the officer said. Police sources claim Gurusamy is a DMK member, while Vellai Kali is associated with the AIADMK, adding a political dimension to the rivalry, though officials stressed that the probe is focused on criminal motives.

Reacting sharply, Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami slammed the ruling DMK, alleging a breakdown of law and order.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/country-bomb-attack-on-prison-convoy-in-tamil-nadu-convict-escapes-10879923

The Court noted that in the case before it, the husband’s earning capacity had been completely destroyed due to a criminal act committed by the wife’s family.

The Allahabad High Court has held that a wife cannot claim maintenance from her husband if her own actions have caused or contributed to her husband’s inability to earn.

A Bench of Justice Lakshmi Kant Shukla made the observation while upholding a trial court’s decision to reject a woman’s plea for interim payments from her husband, until a maintenance petition she had filed is decided.

The Court found that this was a case where the woman’s husband had become incapable of earning due to a serious gunshot injury allegedly caused by the wife’s family members.

“If a wife by her own acts or omissions, causes or contributes to the incapacity of her husband to earn, she cannot be permitted to take advantage of such a situation and claim maintenance. Granting maintenance in such circumstances would result in grave injustice to the husband, and the Court cannot shut its eyes from the reality emerging from the record,” the Court held.

The Court added that granting maintenance in such circumstances would result in grave injustice to the husband and that it could not ignore the realities emerging from the material on record.

“In the facts of the present case, prima facie, it appears that the conduct of the wife and her family members has rendered the opposite party incapable of earning his livelihood … Granting maintenance in such circumstances would result in grave injustice to the husband, and the Court cannot shut its eyes from the reality emerging from the record,” the Court observed.

The Court was dealing with a criminal revision petition filed by the wife challenging a trial court’s refusal to grant interim maintenance to the wife under Section 125 (maintenance) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

The woman’s husband was a homeopathic doctor who had been running his own clinic before he was allegedly attacked in April 2019 by his wife’s brother and father, along with others.

During the incident, the wife’s brother allegedly opened fire on him, causing a gunshot injury that left a pellet lodged in the husband’s spinal cord.

The trial court noted that medical advice indicated that removing the pellet could result in paralysis. It further recorded that due to the injury, the husband was unable to sit for long periods and had become unemployed and incapable of earning any income.

In view of these circumstances, the trial court declined to grant interim maintenance to the wife.

Challenging this, the wife approached the Allahabad High Court.

Before the High Court, the wife’s counsel argued that the husband was a doctor and continued to have sufficient means, but was deliberately failing to maintain her.

The Court acknowledged that it is ordinarily the duty of a husband to maintain his wife.

“In Indian society, it is well recognized that a husband, even in the absence of regular employment, is expected to undertake suitable work according to his capacity to maintain himself and his family,” the Court added.

However, the Court said that the present case stood on a different footing, as the husband’s earning capacity had been completely destroyed due to the criminal act committed by the wife’s family.

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/wife-cant-seek-maintenance-if-her-actions-rendered-husband-incapable-of-earning-allahabad-high-court

One police personnel sustained injuries due to the bomb attack, while another was injured while confronting the attackers, officials said. Both are reported to be out of danger.

Two police personnel were injured after a gang threw country-made bombs at a prison escort team transporting a convict in Tamil Nadu’s Perambalur district on Saturday, triggering a brief exchange of fire and a high-speed escape by the attackers.

Police said the target of the attack was Vellai Kali, a notorious criminal from Madurai with a long criminal history. The convict, who has around 30 cases pending against him, including nine murder cases, was lodged in Puzhal Central Prison in Chennai following his conviction in a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

According to investigators, Vellai Kali was produced before a Pudukkottai court on January 21 in connection with one of the cases against him and was later shifted to Dindigul sub-jail, from where he appeared virtually in a few other cases. He was being escorted back to Chennai when the attack took place.

The incident occurred when the escort vehicle stopped near a hotel in Perambalur district for lunch. At that point, a gang arrived in two SUVs, sped towards the convoy and threw country-made bombs allegedly aimed at eliminating the convict. In the ensuing chaos, the escort team’s sub-inspector opened fire, forcing the attackers to flee the spot. Vellai Kali escaped unhurt.

One police personnel sustained injuries due to the bomb attack, while another was injured while confronting the attackers, officials said. Both are reported to be out of danger.

As the gang fled, police launched a massive manhunt. One of the SUVs was later found abandoned in the Cuddalore district. CCTV footage from a toll plaza has reportedly captured visuals of the SUVs breaking open the toll gate barrier and speeding away, aiding investigators in tracking the escape route.

No arrests have been made so far. Police have formed five special teams to trace and arrest the suspects. Investigation is underway across multiple districts.

On the motive, a senior police officer told NDTV that investigators suspect an old rivalry to be behind the attack.

“We suspect a gang led by VK Gurusamy to be behind this. Both groups have an old feud,” the officer said. Police sources claim Gurusamy is a DMK member, while Vellai Kali is associated with the AIADMK, adding a political dimension to the rivalry, though officials stressed that the probe is focused on criminal motives.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/country-bomb-attack-on-prison-convoy-in-tamil-nadu-convict-escapes-10879923

A Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist was neutralised by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district after he used civilians as human shields. The Pakistani-origin commander, identified as Usman, took a family hostage when cornered in a village house. Police said personnel rescued the civilians and killed him during the operation. Usman was linked to multiple terror attacks in the region.

A Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist who was neutralised by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district on Friday afternoon had used civilians as a human shield when he was cornered by the armed forces.

After being tracked by security forces, Usman, a JeM commander of Pakistani origin, took the inmates of the house where he had taken shelter hostage, attempting to exploit the situation and evade capture. However, police personnel outsmarted him, rescuing the hostages and neutralising the terrorist, according to the police.

Usman entered India in 2024 and operated in the Bani–Bhillawar belt, carving out hideouts in dense forests and steep mountains. He was involved in six terror incidents, leading to the deaths of both civilians and security personnel.

Usman frequently used natural caves as hideouts to evade detection and plan attacks. Security forces had been conducting relentless searches in the Bani and Bhillawar areas of Kathua district for days, but Usman kept escaping. However, on 7 January, the forces busted three of his hideouts in the mountainous Bhillawar region.

Reportedly, his hideouts were busted, which compelled him to take shelter in villagers’ homes, a move he had avoided in the past.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/took-hostage-used-civilians-as-human-shield-how-jem-terrorist-was-shot-dead-in-jks-kathua-by-security-forces

A light drizzle turned a road near Wave Sugar Mill in Amroha into a slippery stretch, causing around 12 two-wheeler riders to skid and over 20 people to suffer minor injuries. Sugar mill waste fallen from tractor-trolleys mixed with rainwater, making the road unsafe. The mill’s fire brigade later cleaned the road, restoring traffic

A brief spell of light rain turned a stretch of road in Uttar Pradesh’s Amroha district into a danger zone on Friday morning, leading to multiple accidents involving two-wheeler riders. At least 12 motorcyclists reportedly lost control and skidded on the road near the Wave Sugar Mill, while more than 20 people sustained minor injuries in the incident. Thankfully, no serious injuries or fatalities were reported.

Sugar mill waste mixed with rain created hazard

According to reports, the road became extremely slippery due to waste material from the nearby sugar mill that had accumulated on the surface. Farmers often transport this byproduct from the mill to their agricultural fields, as it is commonly used as organic fertilizer. During transportation, some of the waste falls off tractor-trolleys and settles on the road.

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What an earth is this!

10 motorcycles skid on the road in less than 2 minutes in Amroha district of Uttar Pradesh. Seemingly normal looking road, riders cruising slowly on their motorcycle – yet lost control and fell as if somebody was casting spell on the road. pic.twitter.com/Pz8tgtY378

— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) January 24, 2026

When rainwater mixes with this residue, it forms a slick, oil-like layer, making the road highly unsafe, especially for two-wheelers. The drizzle on Friday was enough to activate this risk, causing riders to suddenly lose balance even at low speeds.

Swift action by sugar mill restores traffic flow

 

The family said Zubeen Garg’s death has “left behind not merely a grieving family but millions of people seeking clarity and lawful action” in the matter.

The family of legendary Assamese singer Zubeen Garg on Saturday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a special court and fast-tracking of the trial related to the singer’s death in Singapore last year.

The family also sought a “proactive” engagement with Singapore to monitor court proceedings at the “highest level.

In a letter signed by Garg’s wife Garima, sister Palmee Borthakur and uncle Manoj Borthakur, the family said the singer-composer’s death has “left behind not merely a grieving family but millions of people seeking clarity and lawful action” in the matter, news agency PTI reported, adding that bail should not be granted to any of the accused until the judicial process is completed.

They noted that while the Assam Police’s CID is investigating the matter in India, authorities in Singapore are also conducting a parallel enquiry, with the family remaining in constant touch with officials in both countries.

The family has now urged the Central government to intervene to avoid procedural delays, ensure focused adjudication and maintain public confidence in the justice system.

They have sought fast-tracking of the trial through appropriate judicial and administrative measures “so that justice is neither delayed nor diluted by time,” and also ensuring that none of the accused are granted bail unless the process of justice is completed.

The family also sought the appointment of additional public prosecutors, if required, to support the five-member prosecution team already formed by the Assam government and to expedite the trial.

Further, the family requested active diplomatic and legal engagement with Singapore to closely monitor proceedings in the Coroner’s Court, ensure access to all relevant evidence and testimonies, and explore lawful avenues for mutual legal assistance so that jurisdictional issues do not obstruct the truth.

“We are a family in grief, but also citizens of a Republic founded on justice,” the family said, expressing hope that the matter would be pursued with urgency and seriousness.

Zubeen Garg Death Case

Zubeen Garg passed away in Singapore on September 19 after an alleged drowning incident. His body was flown to the national capital, Delhi, and later transported to Assam on a commercial flight that landed in Guwahati.

The CID is currently probing Garg’s death after more than 60 FIRs were lodged across the state against Mahanta, the main organiser of the Northeast India Festival in Singapore where the singer had gone to perform, and almost 10 others, including the Assamese cultural icon’s manager Sarma.

The SIT was constituted to investigate the singer’s death during the Northeast India Festival in Singapore on September 19. Authorities said Zubeen Garg died by drowning.

Subsequently, seven people, including festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, his manager Siddhartha Sharma, his cousin Sandipan Garg, musician Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, singer Amritprabha Mahanta and two Personal Security Officers (PSO), were arrested.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/millions-seeking-clarity-lawful-action-zubeen-gargs-family-urges-pm-modi-fast-tracked-trial-9854323.html

While addressing a gathering, the Governor said that the idea of Bharat as a mother had been neglected after Independence.

Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi on Saturday said that Bharat (India) is not merely a geographical entity but a mother, and emphasised that Vande Mataram should be accorded the same status as the national anthem.

While addressing a gathering, the Governor said that the idea of Bharat as a mother had been neglected after Independence, a development he described as unfortunate, reported India Today.

“Bharat is not just a geographical entity. It is mother. Unfortunately, after Independence, we started ignoring it,” he said.

Pitching for greater recognition of Vande Mataram, the Governor said the song deserved equal standing with the national anthem and should be played more frequently. “Vande Mataram should have equal status as the national anthem. Unfortunately, it is ignored. We need Vande Mataram to be played,” he added, as reported by the news outlet.

Referring to examples from within Tamil Nadu, Ravi said the song continues to resonate among students, pointing out that several schools and colleges in the state organise Vande Mataram competitions.

The Governor’s remarks came amid an ongoing row after he skipped the customary address to the Tamil Nadu Assembly. The controversy erupted after Ravi reiterated that the national anthem had been “insulted” when the Tamil anthem was played at the start of the Assembly session.

In a statement, the Tamil Nadu Lok Bhavan said the national anthem was “yet again insulted” and that a fundamental constitutional duty had been disregarded. The Raj Bhavan also alleged that the Governor’s microphone was repeatedly switched off and that he was not allowed to speak.

According to the statement, Ravi demanded that the national anthem be played after the Tamil anthem. When Speaker Appavu refused, the Governor walked out of the House without reading the opening address.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/vande-mataram-should-have-equal-status-as-national-anthem-tamil-nadu-governor-ws-l-9854134.html

Political parties had alleged that beef tallow and pig fat were used to contaminate the ladoos, triggering a massive outrage and an in-depth investigation

Sixty-eight lakh kilograms of adulterated ghee procured over three years was used to produce one of the holiest prasadam [offerings] in the country—the Tirupati laddoos. A 15-month-long investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has exposed what it has called “one of the biggest procurement scams in Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam”.

The five-member SIT submitted its chargesheet in Nellore’s ACB court against 36 people on Friday. CNN-News18 had reported on Thursday that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)-led SIT had completed its probe in the Tirupati ladoo case and found massive adulteration. As reported by CNN-News18, the SIT has not found evidence to support the charge that animal fat was used in the prasadam.

Political parties had alleged that beef tallow and pig fat were used to contaminate the ladoos, triggering a massive outrage and an in-depth investigation.

Uttarakhand-based Bhole Baba Dairy has been named as the primary accused in the chargesheet. Its directors Pomil and Vipin Jain allegedly entered a conspiracy with TTD procurement staff and external dairy experts—Vijay Shekhar Reddy—to execute a scam worth Rs 250 crore by providing ghee that had 80 per cent chemicals.

Delhi-based chemicals supplier Ajay Kumar Sugandh, Chinna Appanna, and former TTD procurement general manager RSSVR Subrahmanyam are some others named in the chargesheet. The original complainant in the case—Pralaya Kaveri Murali Krishna, retired TTD general manager (procurement)—has also been named as an accused.

Seven others who worked in the TTD procurement department have also been named by the SIT, including Chinna Appanna, personal assistant to former TTD chairman YV Subba Reddy. Reddy, a YSRCP MP, himself has not been named though he was questioned earlier.

Two other suppliers—Apoorva Vinayakant Chawda, CEO of Vaishnavi Dairy, and R Rajasekharan, MD of AR Dairy—have also been found involved in the conspiracy to adulterate ghee.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/68-lakh-kg-adulterated-ghee-rs-250-crore-conspiracy-sit-reveals-scale-of-tirupati-laddoo-scam-ws-kl-9853604.html

Jamaat-e-Islami has been banned multiple times in the country’s history. Following its re-emergence after Sheikh Hasina’s fall, the Jamaat is expected to finish second after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in the upcoming Bangladesh elections.

The United States reportedly wants to be “friends” with Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh’s most prominent Islamist party, ahead of the crucial national elections. Notably, the Jamaat-e-Islami has historically had an anti-India stance and even opposed Bangladesh’s liberation in 1971.

According to audio recordings obtained by The Washington Post, the US is seeking to engage with Jamaat. The report mentions a closed-door meeting between a US official and a Bangladeshi journalist held in Dhaka on December 1. According to the report, the US wanted Jamaat leaders to be “friends”.

“We want them to be our friend,” the report cited the US diplomat as saying. The diplomat said that the country has “shifted Islamic” and predicted Jamaat-e-Islami would “do better than it’s ever done before” in the Feb. 12 election, according to the audio recordings.

The US official had reportedly asked the local journalist to bring members of the party’s influential student wing, the Islami Chhatra Shibir, onto their television programmes.

Gurpatwant Pannun had released a video claiming “sleeper cells” had pasted pro-Khalistan posters in Rohini and Dabri areas, officials said on Friday.

Delhi Police’s Special Cell has registered a first information report (FIR) against Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for allegedly threatening unrest in the Capital ahead of Republic Day after he released a video claiming “sleeper cells” had pasted pro-Khalistan posters in Rohini and Dabri areas, officials said on Friday.

The case has been lodged under Sections 196 (promoting enmity), 197 (imputations prejudicial to national integration), 152 (acts endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India) and 61 (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).

According to an officer aware of the matter, Pannun, a US resident, recently released the video on social media, however, police could not find any such posters at the at the locations mentioned.

In the video, he also allegedly used abusive slogans against the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.HT could not independently verify the video.

Officials said that he had announced a reward of US$111,000 for stopping the PM from hoisting the national flag on January 26 and putting Khalistan flags on railway tracks in Punjab, among other acts.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/elon-musk-lures-40-yr-old-with-marriage-proposal-dupes-her-of-17l-101769195770297.html

The United Forum of Bank Unions has confirmed a nationwide strike by public sector bank employees on January 27, 2026, to demand a five-day work week. Despite conciliation meetings with the Indian Banks’ Association, Ministry of Finance, and bank representatives, no resolution was reached. The strike, combined with January 25-26 holidays, will disrupt public sector banking services for three days.

Bank employee unions have decided to go on a nationwide strike on January 27 to press for a long-pending demand for a five-day work week. If the strike proceeds, it will disrupt public sector banking operations for three consecutive days, with January 25 and 26 being holidays. Most of the public sector banks have already informed their customers about the disruption in banking services if the strike materialises.

In response to the strike notice served by the UFBU, the Chief Labour Commissioner held a conciliation meeting on Wednesday and Thursday, the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella organisation of nine unions of officers and employees, said in a statement.

“Besides representatives of IBA and various Banks, representatives of DFS, the Ministry of Finance, were present. From UFBU, all our 9 unions were present. Despite detailed discussions, finally there was no positive outcome out of the conciliation proceedings,” it said. Hence it has been decided to go ahead with the strike on January 27, it added.

Currently, bank employees get the second and fourth Saturdays off each month, apart from Sundays. The decision to declare all Saturdays as holidays was agreed between the Indian Banks’ Association and UFBU during the wage revision settlement in March 2024. “It is unfortunate that the government is not responding to our genuine demand. There would be no loss of man-hours as we have agreed to work an extra 40 minutes daily from Monday to Friday,” UFBU had said earlier this month.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/bank-unions-announce-nationwide-strike-on-january-27-for-five-day-work-week-demand

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor skipped a key high command meeting in Delhi, signalling growing friction with party leadership ahead of elections. Discontent followed perceived sidelining at a Kerala event, including protocol issues and Rahul Gandhi not mentioning him. The Congress high command reiterated discipline, urging leaders to address internal matters only on official party platforms.

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has skipped a key meeting of the party’s high command in Delhi, sending out yet another signal of discomfort between him and the Congress leadership ahead of crucial elections.

According to sources, Tharoor chose not to attend the meeting convened to discuss election preparations after feeling sidelined at a Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) ‘Maha Panchayath’ held in Kochi on January 19. The event was addressed by Rahul Gandhi, and developments there appear to have deepened Tharoor’s dissatisfaction with both the state and central leadership.

Protocol Row at Kochi Event

Sources close to Tharoor said the seating arrangement on the dais at the Kochi event did not follow established party protocol. Despite being a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), Tharoor was allegedly seated at the far end of the stage, something that did not go unnoticed by the senior leader or his supporters.

The sources further claimed that Tharoor had been informed beforehand that only Rahul Gandhi would speak at length and that other leaders would be expected to keep their remarks brief. Acting on this understanding, Tharoor reportedly structured his speech accordingly. However, several other leaders later spoke at length, which is said to have added to his displeasure.

Adding to the unease, Rahul Gandhi, during his address, mentioned several leaders by name but did not refer to Tharoor. This omission, sources said, upset the Thiruvananthapuram MP, who has often projected himself as a national-level face of the party.

High Command Pushes Discipline Line

Congress sources later told CNN-News18 that the Kochi programme was organised primarily for Rahul Gandhi and that all speakers had to wait for their turn. They sought to play down the controversy, insisting that there was no deliberate attempt to sideline anyone.

Meanwhile, the Congress high command has drawn a clear line on internal discipline. The party leadership has conveyed that indiscipline and public airing of internal issues will not be tolerated.

The former minister in Sheikh Hasina’s government stated that the polls are a sham because the country’s largest political bloc has been ‘forcefully banned’

In a significant move that deepens the political polarisation in Bangladesh, Mohammad A Arafat, a prominent leader of the Awami League and former Minister of State for Information, has issued a categorical call for a nationwide boycott of the general elections scheduled for February 12.

Speaking via video link on Friday at a high-profile media briefing hosted by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC) of South Asia in New Delhi, Arafat denounced the upcoming polls as an “illegal exercise” conducted under the shadow of an “illegal government”.

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I joined the press conference organized by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia and the International Association of Press Clubs online, where I responded to several questions on behalf of the Awami League. pic.twitter.com/CScrx7Qb3h

— Mohammad Ali Arafat (@MAarafat71) January 23, 2026

Arafat, who has emerged as a key voice for the Awami League’s leadership in exile, was emphatic in his rejection of the electoral process overseen by the interim administration of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. He argued that the exclusion of the Awami League—which led the nation’s independence struggle in 1971—renders any subsequent mandate void.

Arafat stated that the election process is a sham because the country’s largest political bloc has been “forcefully banned” from participating. He asserted that a democratic exercise cannot exist when the principal opposition is legally and physically suppressed.

He called upon every Awami League supporter, party worker, and the broader Bangladeshi electorate to stay away from the polling booths. “The only way to protest this fascist exclusion is to boycott the elections entirely,” Arafat noted, framing the boycott as a moral and political necessity.

He reiterated the party’s stance that the Yunus-led administration lacks a constitutional basis, describing it as a “puppet regime” that has failed to protect the democratic rights of the people.

The briefing also featured a defiant audio address from the ousted Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina. Characterising her current status as “democracy in exile”, Hasina echoed Arafat’s sentiments, launching a blistering attack on the interim government. She alleged that a “murderous, fascist clique” had taken control of the motherland, leading to widespread anarchy and the targeted persecution of religious minorities.

Other senior members of the erstwhile cabinet, including former Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud and Education Minister Mohibul Chowdhury Nowfel, were also present, either in person or via video. They supported Arafat’s call, suggesting that an “arranged election” without the Awami League would fail to bring stability or international credibility to Bangladesh.

Source : https://www.news18.com/world/no-boat-no-vote-awami-leagues-arafat-leads-boycott-call-for-illegal-bangladesh-polls-9852730.html

 

According to Smriti Mandhana’s childhood friend Vidnyan Mane, Palash Muchhal cheated Smriti and was caught red-handed with another woman in bed.

Star Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana was set to tie the knot with musician Palash Muchhal in November 2025 but the wedding was called off. Now a couple of months after the much-talked about wedding saga, Mandhana’s childhood friend Vidnyan Mane, who claimed to be present at the wedding functions, has made a shocking claim about Palash. According to Mane, Palash cheated Smriti and was caught red-handed with another woman in bed.

“I was at the wedding celebrations (November, 23, 2025) when he was caught red-handed with another woman in bed. Bhayanak scene tha, he was beaten up by the Indian female cricketers. The entire family is chindi chor. I thought he’d get married and settle in Sangli, but it has completely backfired on me,” Mane was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

According to Mane, he is Smriti’s childhood friend and was introduced to Palaash by the Mandhana family. He has also accused Muchhal of cheating him of over Rs 40 lakh and has filed a complaint in Sangli.

“When I met his mother (Amita Muchhal) last month, she said the budget to release the movie has now increased to ₹1.5 crore. They asked me to invest another ₹10 lakh or I wouldn’t get any money back. They started blackmailing me and threatened to throw me out of the film, thus I was forced to file a complaint,” he said.

“After the wedding was called off, the family blocked me from everywhere. I found out that other artistes from the movie had not received payment they were due to receive either. I had heard of directors fleecing producers in the film industry but this is complete theft,” Mane added.

According to him, he has all the proofs against Palash and he is willing to share them with police and media to expose the reality of Muchhal family.

“I have saved all proofs including my chats and phone conversations that I’m willing to share with the police and the media,”

Source : https://www.news18.com/cricket/smriti-mandhanas-friend-makes-shocking-claims-palash-muchhal-caught-with-another-woman-during-wedding-was-beaten-up-by-cricketers-9852525.html

The Indian Army and Uttar Pradesh government coordinated with civil authorities to help the daughter of a late Territorial Army officer legally reclaim her ancestral home in Lucknow.

The Indian Army, working in close coordination with the Uttar Pradesh government, has helped the daughter of a late Territorial Army officer reclaim her ancestral home, underscoring the force’s commitment to the welfare and dignity of its extended military family.

The recovery of the ancestral residence of Ms Anjana Bhatt was carried out through a lawful, structured and sustained process in coordination with the state’s civil administration. Officials described the effort as both decisive and compassionate.

Bhatt, the daughter of a deceased Territorial Army officer, had been facing prolonged personal, medical and legal hardship after anti-social elements illegally occupied her ancestral property. With limited immediate family support, the situation left her vulnerable and without recourse for an extended period.

Taking note of her circumstances, the Indian Army, under the aegis of the Central Uttar Pradesh Sub Area, stepped in to fulfil what it described as its moral and institutional responsibility. The Army ensured Bhatt’s safety and welfare while initiating steps to secure legal justice.

As part of the initiative, her well-being was continuously monitored and institutional support was extended. After a detailed assessment, coordinated administrative and legal action was launched to free the illegally occupied property. Throughout the process, the Army maintained close coordination with district authorities, law enforcement agencies and legal representatives to ensure transparency, legality and timely execution.

Major Vishal Kanojia was formally appointed as Bhatt’s foster guardian to oversee and coordinate the entire process. Acting on behalf of the Army, he ensured regular follow-up of legal proceedings, facilitated coordination with civil authorities and provided consistent personal support during a difficult period. Officials said his sustained efforts helped prevent further exploitation and ensured effective protection of her rights.

These coordinated efforts culminated on January 1, 2026, when swift and effective action led to the peaceful eviction of illegal occupants and the lawful restoration of Bhatt’s ancestral home. The operation was carried out strictly within the legal framework and with full cooperation from the civil administration, officials said, calling it a clear example of robust military–civil coordination.

Following the successful recovery, Bhatt met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday to express her gratitude for the state government’s prompt and sensitive support. The meeting was attended by Major General Manish Kukreti, General Officer Commanding, Central Uttar Pradesh Sub Area; Mrs Sangeeta Kukreti, President of the Central Uttar Pradesh Sub Area Family Welfare Organisation; and Major Vishal Kanojia.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indian-army-up-government-help-late-territorial-army-officers-daughter-reclaim-ancestral-home-2857043-2026-01-24

The tableau will showcase India’s evolved military doctrine, highlighting precision warfare, seamless integration among the three services, and growing indigenous defence capabilities.

The Indian Armed Forces will present a Tri-services tableau titled ‘Operation Sindoor: Victory Through Jointness’ at the 77th Republic Day Parade on January 26, at Kartavya Path. The tableau will showcase India’s evolved military doctrine, highlighting precision warfare, seamless integration among the three services, and growing indigenous defence capabilities.

Conceived in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat @ 2047, Operation Sindoor reflects India’s shift towards decisive, coordinated and self-reliant military power. The tableau offers a sequential and dynamic portrayal of Tri-service synergy in modern warfare.

The opening segment depicts the Indian Navy asserting maritime dominance and denying operational space to the adversary. This is followed by the Indian Army’s calibrated firepower, with M777 ultra-light howitzers engaging hostile targets. The Akash air defence system stands guard behind them, symbolising India’s layered and integrated aerial defence shield.

INDIA’S EXPANDING UNMANNED WARFARE

The central strike narrative reflects the new normal in India’s national security doctrine, marked by rapid response, controlled escalation and precision targeting. A HAROP loitering munition neutralises an enemy air defence radar, demonstrating India’s expanding unmanned warfare capabilities. A Rafale fighter armed with SCALP missiles then carries out a surgical strike on terror infrastructure, followed by a SU-30 MKI launching a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile to destroy hardened aircraft shelters.

The operation culminates with the S-400 air defence system executing the longest-range engagement of the mission at 350 kilometres, neutralising an adversary airborne early-warning platform and underlining India’s ability to detect, decide and destroy first.

TERROR AND BLOOD WILL NOT FLOW TOGETHER

Each phase of Operation Sindoor highlights the maturity of jointness across domains, with fused intelligence, precision target selection and minimal collateral damage. The tableau conveys a clear national message that terror and blood will not flow together, and those who sponsor or shelter terrorism will face swift and overwhelming consequences.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/republic-day-2026-tri-services-tableau-to-showcase-operation-sindoor-success-2857035-2026-01-24

Mumbai Police arrested KRK after he fired four rounds from his licenced firearm that struck a residential building in Andheri where writer-director Neeraj Kumar Mishra lives.

Mumbai Police have arrested actor and self-styled film critic Kamaal R Khan, popularly known as KRK, for allegedly firing four rounds at a residential building in Andheri where writer-director Neeraj Kumar Mishra lives.

Khan was detained from his studio on Friday night and formally arrested after questioning by a Mumbai Police team. During the interrogation, he admitted to firing the shots on January 18 using his licenced firearm. Police have recovered the weapon used in the incident.

The motive behind the firing remains unclear. Police said Khan, who describes himself as a film critic and has previously worked as an actor and director, claimed during questioning that he had no intention of harming anyone.

According to his statement, Khan told investigators that he was cleaning his gun and fired it to test its functionality. He claimed he aimed towards a mangrove forest in front of his house, believing the area to be safe for such a test.

Khan further said he assumed the bullets would be absorbed by the mangrove area, but strong winds caused one of the rounds to travel farther and hit a building in the Oshiwara area.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/actor-kamaal-r-khan-detained-for-firing-4-rounds-at-residential-building-in-mumbais-oshiwara-gun-recovered-2857030-2026-01-23

The Enforcement Directorate has arrested two individuals linked to the massive BitConnect cryptocurrency fraud involving kidnapping and extortion. This case exposes a complex web of deceit affecting investors across India and globally.

The Enforcement Directorate has arrested two people in connection with the sprawling BitConnect cryptocurrency fraud, a case that spans alleged global deception, kidnapping and extortion involving thousands of Bitcoins and crores of rupees in cash.

The agency’s Ahmedabad zonal office arrested Nikunj Pravinbhai Bhatt, 33, and Sanjay Kotadia, 49, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in a probe linked to the BitConnectCoin fraud and a related extortion case, officials said.

The money laundering investigation stems from two FIRs registered by the CID Crime branch in Surat against Shailesh Babulal Bhatt, BitConnect founder Satish Kurjibhai Kumbhani and others.

Investigators allege that Kumbhani and his associates induced the public to invest in BitConnect Coin, siphoning off the proceeds to acquire Bitcoins and immovable properties. The scheme, which ran between November 2016 and January 2018, involved an unregistered offering of cryptocurrencies through BitConnect’s so-called Lending Program, which targeted investors worldwide, including in India.

According to the ED, BitConnect projected itself as a high-return investment platform, claiming to deploy a proprietary volatility trading bot that could generate returns of up to 40 percent per month. The agency says these claims were fictitious and used to create a false image of growth, including posting fabricated daily returns of around one percent on its website.

The funds were allegedly diverted to digital wallets controlled by the accused and their associates rather than being deployed for trading.

The second FIR relates to the kidnapping of two associates of Kumbhani, Piyush Savaliya and Dhaval Mavani, allegedly orchestrated by Shailesh Bhatt and his accomplices to recover a purported investment in BitConnect Coin.

Investigators allege that the accused extorted 2,254 Bitcoins, 11,000 Litecoins and Rs 14.5 crore in cash from Mavani in exchange for his release.

The ED says Nikunj Bhatt was an accomplice in the kidnapping and extortion. Of the extorted Bitcoins, he allegedly received at least 266 Bitcoins across two accounts held with a crypto exchange. The agency has attached 10.9 of these Bitcoins.

Investigators allege that Bhatt knowingly routed at least 246 Bitcoins through third-party crypto accounts to conceal ownership and origin, converting them into Ethereum and USDT before transferring them to multiple wallets, including those linked to Sanjay Kotadia.

The probe found that at least 23 lakh USDT, equivalent to about Rs 20.70 crore, was transferred by Bhatt to wallets associated with Kotadia, purportedly for cryptocurrency trading. Separately, Kotadia is alleged to have received at least 4.5 lakh USDT, equivalent to Rs 4.05 crore, from Shailesh Bhatt for similar purposes.

On January 9, searches were conducted at five locations under the PMLA, leading to the seizure of digital devices, incriminating documents and cash, and the freezing of assets including shares, mutual fund investments and cryptocurrencies. The total value of seized and frozen assets is estimated at around Rs 19 crore.

Forensic analysis of electronic records revealed cryptocurrency transaction data and exchange-related documents showing transactional linkages between the two arrested men.

The ED said both Bhatt and Kotadia gave evasive and incomplete disclosures during the investigation and attempted to obstruct the probe despite repeated opportunities to cooperate.

Citing non-cooperation, risk of evidence tampering and flight risk, the agency arrested the duo and produced them before the special PMLA court in Ahmedabad on January 20. The court granted the ED four days of custody.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ed-arrests-2-in-bitconnect-crypto-fraud-linked-to-kidnapping-bitcoin-extortion-2857022-2026-01-23

Raj Thackeray said that it was Balasaheb Thackeray who first thought of uniting Hindus, while Uddhav Thackeray slammed “defectors”, saying they have undermined Maharashtra.

In a rare display of unity, cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray shared the stage in Mumbai on Friday to mark the birth centenary year of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, using the occasion to honour his legacy and launch a sharp attack on their political rivals.

The joint appearance at Shanmukhanand Hall in Mumbai’s Sion came just days after both leaders suffered a setback in the recently concluded Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, where the BJP-led Mahayuti wrested control of the civic body, ending the Thackerays’ decades-long dominance in Mumbai.

Opening the evening, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray struck a light tone, joking about post-election fatigue and the state’s volatile politics.

Referring to his family doctor, he quipped, “Uddhav recovered in two days, but I am still unwell. I think even my doctor has changed parties”.

The remark drew laughter from the audience and set the stage for a more reflective address.

Raj recalled an exchange from the early 1980s between Balasaheb Thackeray and late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, when the Sena founder spoke of uniting Hindus under a single ideological banner.

“Balasaheb had said Hindutva could bring Hindus together as one voting force. He proved it was possible,” Raj said, before adding that the idea had since been reduced to “mere vote-bank politics”, calling the present state of affairs one that Balasaheb would have found “indecent and disgusting”.

Taking a more combative tone, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and Balasaheb Thackeray’s son, Uddhav Thackeray, accused political defectors and commercial interests of trying to destroy the Thackeray legacy and undermine Maharashtra.

“You can buy votes, but you cannot buy spirit,” he told supporters. “I would rather fight with a handful of loyalists than take 50 crores and compromise my principles”.

Uddhav said his party was not just an organisation but an idea.

“The BJP is wrong if it thinks it can finish us. Shiv Sena is not a party, it is an idea,” he said, referring to the BJP’s emergence as the single-largest party in the BMC with 89 seats.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) won 65 seats, while Raj Thackeray’s MNS secured six, in what both leaders described as a better-than-expected fight.

Lashing out at “traitors” and “vyaparis”, Uddhav said, “It is not outsiders but defectors who are being used to finish us. Power comes and goes, but once a name is erased, it never returns”.

He alleged money power and voter list discrepancies had influenced the civic polls.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/uddhav-thackeray-raj-thackeray-balasaheb-thackeray-birth-centenary-brihanmumbai-municipal-corporation-polls-2857015-2026-01-23

It is evident that India-EU relations fell short of their potential, and there is recognition for its careful nurturing.

India and the European Union are on the cusp of a historic realignment based on strategic interests and shared values. The inflection point benefits from the conclusion of the Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) and collaboration in future-oriented areas such as technology, energy, sustainability, defence, space, and mobility. BTIA will have a profound influence on trade and investment, economic activity and regulatory framework, while strategic cooperation will balance geopolitics and geoeconomics.

India and the EU had established summit-level interaction in 2000, and relations were upgraded to a strategic partnership in 2004. Despite a high-level understanding, progress on the EU track lagged behind India’s close bilateral ties with major European powers.

Lengthy negotiations

Negotiations for BTIA, launched in 2007, had slow progress and were paused in 2014. The EU had prioritised investments in the faster-growing Chinese market and championed WTO provisions expanding trade defence. India’s relatively small GDP and trade share, at that time, limited its leverage. But much had changed by 2021, when negotiations resumed, and the two sides saw benefit in meeting halfway for consensus on difficult issues. Political will for BTIA, supported by industry’s need for resilient supply chains, pushed for a new framework. Externally, China’s economic coercion, supply chain disruptions and acquisition of strategic assets had dimmed its lure. In contrast, India’s growth story was compelling and could not be ignored. Distress in the multilateral system and an ineffective WTO led India and the EU to negotiate several bilateral FTAs. Shifting geopolitics and geoeconomics demanded a robust partnership between India, the largest democracy and emerging power and EU, the bastion of high technology, regulatory framework and capital. Last year’s developments jolted strategic balance and multilateralism, hastening the India-EU consensus that was underway.

Strategic orientation

The state visit of European Council President António Luís Santos da Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will set the stage for agreements on key components of the strategic partnership.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/specials/how-india-and-the-eu-are-shaping-a-new-geo-economic-alliance-3872968

Rabindranath’s ancestors had originally been known by the surname Kushari, although they had later started using ‘Thakur’, which had been subsequently anglicised as ‘Tagore’.

Had Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore been alive today, perhaps he too would have been served notice to appear before the officials engaged by the Election Commission in West Bengal to defend his right to vote, the chief minister and the Trinamool Congress supremo, Mamata Banerjee, said on Thursday.

Mamata said that the Nobel laureate polymath would have been possibly identified as a case of ‘logical discrepancy’ by the officials deployed by the EC for the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls in West Bengal and summoned to explain the difference between his surname ‘Thakur’ and its anglicised form ‘Tagore’.

The chief minister referred to the hypothetical situation while criticising the EC for issuing notices to a large number of voters after the publication of the draft electoral rolls following the first phase of the roll revision in West Bengal, asking them to appear before the officials to explain the “logical discrepancies” in the enumeration forms filled up by them at the beginning of the exercise.

Rabindranath’s ancestors had originally been known by the surname Kushari, although they had later started using ‘Thakur’, which had been subsequently anglicised as ‘Tagore’.

“They (the EC) are citing logical discrepancies and picking up issues, like mismatches in spelling of names and surnames, although such multiple ways of spelling them had been known and accepted for years,” the chief minister said, adding: “I am known as both Mamata Banerjee and Mamata Bandyopadhyay. In the same way, Chatterjee and Chattopadhyay are the same surname. Thakur also came to be known as Tagore during the rule of the British Raj.”

She was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 49th International Kolkata Book Fair.

The EC struck off over 58 lakh voters and cut down the size of the electorate from 7.66 crore at the beginning of 2025 to 7.08 crore in the draft list that was published at the end of the first phase of the SIR of the electoral rolls in West Bengal.

In the second phase of the SIR, which started on December 27, 1.67 crore voters under scrutiny are being summoned for hearings, including 1.36 crore flagged for “logical discrepancies” and 31 lakh whose current electoral roll details did not match or link to the records from the 2002 voter list. The number of voters with logical discrepancies, however, subsequently came down to 94.49 lakh.

The ‘logical discrepancies’ include the mismatches in the spelling of the names of the voters or their parents, and differences between the ages of the voters and those of their parents.

In one of her letters to the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Mamata had pointed out that the voters had been issued notices purely because their names appear with minor spelling differences across official records. She cited examples such as two different ways to spell her name – ‘Mamta’ and ‘Mamata’ – to argue that phonetic or clerical variations were being treated as discrepancies.

She argued that such differences were common, and long accepted in electoral rolls and government databases and that using them as grounds for hearings or verification was arbitrary and unreasonable.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/west-bengal/tagore-too-would-have-been-summoned-for-sir-hearing-says-mamata-banerjee-3871674

The Odisha government has imposed a statewide ban on all tobacco and nicotine-containing products, such as gutkha, pan masala, zarda, khaini, and more.

In line with the directions issued by the Supreme Court and to safeguard public health, the Odisha government has imposed a statewide ban on all tobacco and nicotine-containing products, such as gutkha, pan masala, zarda, khaini, and more.

The production, sale, and trade of tobacco-related products have been strictly prohibited across the state, as the government outlined that such products pose a major threat to public health. The ban has been enforced to safeguard public health.

The Odisha government has urged its citizens to abide by rules and support the mission of building a healthy and tobacco-free Odisha.

“A survey has revealed that as many as twice as many people in Odisha consume tobacco-based gutkha compared to the national average. This has led to a significant rise in oral and mouth cancer cases”, said Mukesh Mahalinga, Odisha Health Minister, while speaking to reporters.

The Minister added that a special squad will be deployed to enforce the ban across the state.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/odisha-imposes-complete-ban-on-gutkha-pan-masala-and-tobacco-nicotin-products-9849825.html

Talking about numerous opportunities in space, retired NASA astronaut Sunita Williams said young people should pursue a career, explore more, and take part in the sector

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, who retired from the space agency and is visiting India, has expressed her desire to go to the moon but said she would pass that opportunity onto the new generation.

Williams, 60, said she is hopeful that India and the United States will collaborate in space. Talking about numerous opportunities in space, she said young people should pursue a career, explore more, and take part in the sector.

“I hope the US and India will work together in space…I would love to go to the moon, but pass this onto the new generation. So many opportunities for young people in space…they should explore more and participate more,” Williams told News18 in an exclusive interview.

She said it feels good to be back in India and she had made plans to go on a vacation once she returned to Earth from space.

“It’s good to be back in India. We went through a longer routine to get back in form after we returned to Earth. We needed a mental break as we knew we would be longer in space than anticipated; we loved being in space and had plans when we returned to India…to go on a vacation. We were relieved when we were returning to Earth. My whole family was very supportive,” she said.

The astronaut said her experience in space was unique and she wanted to share it with everyone as it had been “great” to be a NASA astronaut.

“I took food to the spacecraft, which represented my culture. It was great to be a NASA astronaut,” she added.

Williams had got stuck in space when an eight-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS) had turned out to be a challenge of a lifetime as problems cropped up on their Boeing space flight that stretched her stay in orbit to over nine months. She had a stellar 27-year career during which she completed three missions aboard the ISS and set various human spaceflight records,

“After 27 years of service, NASA astronaut Suni Williams retired from the agency, effective Dec. 27, 2025. Williams completed three missions aboard the International Space Station, setting numerous human spaceflight records throughout her career,” NASA said in a statement issued on January 20.

Excerpts from the interview:

How does it feel to be back in India?

It’s great to be back in India. I have been looking forward to coming to see people here for a long time but was a little bit occupied with a couple of things going on both on the planet and off the planet.

How is Kerala?

Kerala is one of the places my father had talked a lot about. So, I was excited to come and see it for myself and experience the wonderful food and people. I haven’t experienced everything yet but I had a little taste of it when I was in Sharjah for a literary fest.

What is your favourite food from Kerala?

I like those little peppers that are in the yogurt; I had those for the first time today…they are hot but they are pretty awesome. I know there is a lot to try and I just landed here last night. By the end of the week, I will have a favourite.

The bench passed the ad-interim injunction restraining Rita Bhattacharya and all persons acting on her behalf, including independent media houses, from writing, speaking, posting, publishing or disseminating any allegedly defamatory, false or slanderous statements about the singer or his family in any form or medium.

The Bombay High Court has restrained Bollywood playback singer Kumar Sanu’s ex-wife Rita Bhattacharya from “giving any contentious interviews” against him, as ad-interim relief in his Rs 50-crore defamation suit.

The bench of Justice Milind Jadhav passed the ad-interim injunction restraining Bhattacharya and all persons acting on her behalf, including independent media houses, from writing, speaking, posting, publishing or disseminating any allegedly defamatory, false or slanderous statements about the singer or his family in any form or medium.

The bench said that Bhattacharya “not give any further contentious interviews or continue with the tirade on the same line which are objected to by the Plaintiff.”

The bench noted that Bhattachrya’s interviews went beyond fair comment. “I am of the opinion that at some places in the interviews which have been given by Bhattacharya, there is a clear personal tirade against Sanu which is prima facie qualified by words that are used therein”, the judge observed.

The Court also injuncted her from posting or circulating any defamatory or misleading content about Sanu on social media, print or digital platforms pending hearing of the interim application.

Appearing for Bhattacharya, advocate Atif Shaikh requested that the dispute be referred to mediation, pointing out that the couple’s son was recently married.

The bench noted this, but clarified that Bhattacharya must immediately restrain herself and ensure no further reputational damage or insinuations against Sanu.

Advocate Sana Raees Khan appearing for Sanu requested for deletion of the defamatory contents at the earliest. Khan pointed out that Bhattacharya’s interviews had caused immense financial and personal loss, including cancellation of pre-determined shows abroad, and highlighted that his personality rights had earlier been protected by the Delhi High Court.

However, the bench said that it would consider Khan’s request for deletion of allegedly objectionable interviews after receiving replies from the defendants, including online platforms.

The judge also asked Khan to inform by next date if Sanu would agree for mediation without prejudice to his rights and contentions. The matter will be heard next on January 28.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/maharashtra/story/no-contentious-interviews-court-refrains-singer-kumar-sanus-ex-wife-2856447-2026-01-23

IMD has issued a yellow alert for Friday and light to moderate rainfall over the national capital over the next few days.

Light rain is expected over Delhi due to a western disturbance, even as the winter chill has eased over the past few days, with Thursday recording the warmest January day in seven years with a maximum temperature of 27.1 degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Friday and light to moderate rainfall over the national capital over the next few days, HT reported earlier.

The western disturbance is likely to cause multiple spells of light to moderate spells of continuous rainfall throughout Friday, officials to HT.

Rain in Delhi

Issuing a yellow alert for Friday, the IMD said that the skies over Delhi-NCR will remain generally cloudy. “Very light to light rain accompanied with thunderstorm/lightning and gusty winds (speed 30–40 kmph). Shallow to moderate fog during morning hours,” it said in its bulletin.

“One or two spells of light rain, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of speed 30-40 kmph are likely to occur during the early to forenoon hours on Friday. Another spell of very light to light rain is likely towards the afternoon and evening,” an IMD official said.

IMD has predicted the influence of another consecutive western disturbance over northwest India from January 26 to 28, which, it said, is likely to lead to an increase in the minimum temperature.

Improvement in air quality

Delhi’s air quality also showed marginal improvement on Thursday with an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 313 (very poor) recorded at 8am on Thursday, compared to 330 (very poor) recorded at 4pm on Wednesday. Wind speeds are expected to increase on Friday which are expected to disperse the pollutants and improve the air quality in the national capital.

The uptick in Delhi’s air quality prompted the sub-committee on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to revoke Stage III curbs across Delhi-NCR with immediate effect on Thursday (January 22).

The panel observed that the AQI of Delhi has been improving owing to favourable meteorological conditions and recorded as 322 on Thursday, PTI reported. Forecast by IMD/ IITM indicates that AQI is likely to remain in the “moderate” to “poor” category in coming days. Therefore, keeping in view the disruptive nature of restrictions under Stage-III of extant GRAP impacting a large number of stakeholders and public, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP today unanimously decided to revoke all actions under Stage-III of the extant schedule of GRAP in the entire NCR, with immediate effect.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/yellow-alert-in-delhi-as-imd-predicts-rainfall-gusty-winds-aqi-improves-101769110878628.html

India was among some 60 countries that received invitations last week from Trump to join the Board of Peace

There was no Indian presence as US President Donald Trump on Thursday launched his Board of Peace, a body conceived for working for peace in Gaza but whose open-ended role in tackling global conflicts has given rise to concerns about the undermining of the United Nations. Thus far, no permanent member of the UN Security Council (other than the US) has joined the board, nor has any member of G7 (other than the US).

As Trump presided over a signing ceremony for the board on the margins of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, he again played up his role in purportedly ending eight wars in nine months, including the conflict between India and Pakistan last May. With Pakistan among 19 countries that joined the ceremony, Trump said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had praised him for saving millions of lives.

India was among some 60 countries that received invitations last week from Trump to join the Board of Peace and people familiar with the matter acknowledged that no Indian officials were present at the ceremony in the Swiss mountain resort. The Indian side is yet to make a decision on joining the board, they said.

The board’s official charter makes no mention of Gaza at all and instead outlines a sweeping mandate that could challenge or undermine existing international frameworks and institutions working for conflict resolution and global governance. The charter states the board will promote stability and secure enduring peace in areas affected by conflict, and Trump himself alluded that the body could take on other global crises after its work in Gaza.

“I think we can spread out to other things as we succeed with Gaza,” Trump said. “We can do numerous other things. Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do.”

Trump noted that the Board of Peace could work in conjunction with the UN but made it clear that the world body had no role in the eight wars he had “stopped”, including the India-Pakistan conflict. “We’re very happy to stop the war that had started with India and Pakistan, two nuclear nations, and I was very honoured when the prime minister of Pakistan said President Trump saved 10 and maybe 20 million lives by getting that stopped just before bad things were going to happen,” he said.

India has rejected Trump’s claims of ending the conflict and said hostilities ended after four days of fighting when Indian and Pakistani military officials reached an understanding.

The documents for launching the board were signed by the heads of state or government of 11 countries — Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Hungary, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Pakistan, Paraguay, and Uzbekistan — and senior officials of eight nations — Bahrain, Jordan, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE and Mongolia.

While the Indian side closely watched the positions taken by key partners – including France and Russia – there were concerns about the Board of Peace ultimately undermining the UN and Trump remaining as chairman of the body in perpetuity, the people said.

Pakistan’s presence in the board too was seen in some quarters as problematic. Besides Shehbaz Sharif, who signed the documents, the ceremony was attended by Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, whom the premier pointed out to Trump in the audience.

Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, a member of the executive board and also the Gaza executive board of the Board of Peace, outlined a development plan for Gaza but made no mention of a path towards a Palestinian state. The Gaza executive board is part of the second phase of an agreement between Israel and Hamas brokered by the US, and the first phase, the ceasefire in Gaza finalised last October, has been marred by violence. The second phase will also have to contend with crucial issues such as disarming Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-absent-as-donald-trump-in-davos-unveils-board-of-peace-for-gaza-101769121583120.html

A man was brutally shot dead on camera in the Churachandpur district of Manipur. The man, who reportedly belonged to the Meitei community, was captured by the suspected Kuki militant when he was visiting his wife, who belongs to the Kuki community.

The video shows a man kneeling on his knees with his hands folded in the dark as flash light focuses on him, presumably asking to be spared. The video, which has no sound, later goes on to show the man being shot point-blank. It has “no peace, no popular government” captioned on it.

According to the police, Mayanglambam Rishikanta Singh was abducted from his home in the Tuibong area on Wednesday and later found shot dead near Natjang village.

Singh belonged to Kakching Khunou in Kakching district. He was married to his Kuki wife Chingnu Haokip of Churachandpur, and had also assumed a tribal name, Ginminthang.

He had been in Nepal for work and had returned to Churachandpur on January 19, news agency PTI reported.

The couple was abducted by the militant group from their homes and was taken to the secluded space of Natjang in the Henglep police station area. Rishikant Singh was then shot dead, and his wife was later set free, the police said.

His body was recovered by the authorities after they received a call.

The kidnappers are suspected to be from the United Kuki National Army (UNKA).

The militant group is not a signatory to the SoO agreement, a deal signed between the Centre, the Manipur government and dozens of Kuki-Zo militant groups. The agreement requires cadres to stay in designated camps, surrender weapons, and undergo biometric verification while restricting their activities.

Source : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/manipur-violence-militants-shoot-meitei-man-visiting-kuki-wife-shooting-caught-on-camera/articleshow/127126529.cms

West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Thursday accused the BJP-led Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of policing people’s plates after the newly launched Vande Bharat sleeper train between Kolkata and Kamakhya offered only vegetarian food.

The party alleged that the absence of non-vegetarian options on a route linking regions where fish and meat are staple foods reflected an attempt to impose uniform food habits.

In a post on X, the party wrote: “First they policed our votes. Now they’re policing our plates”.

Referring to the recent flag-off of the Vande Bharat sleeper service by PM Modi, the TMC said the Centre had highlighted the new train for Bengal but had not disclosed changes to its food offerings.

“Just days ago, PM Modi was busy boasting about giving Bengal a new Vande Bharat sleeper train. What he didn’t mention however is that on the Vande Bharat train running from Bengal to Assam, fish and meat have been taken off the menu,” the party wrote.

Pointing to the cultural significance of non-vegetarian food in both West Bengal and Assam, the TMC said, “A train connecting two regions where people cherish non-vegetarian food now offers only vegetarian options.”

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First they policed our votes. Now they’re policing our plates.

Just days ago, @narendramodi was busy boasting about giving Bengal a new Vande Bharat sleeper train. What he didn’t mention however is that on the Vande Bharat train running from Bengal to Assam, fish and meat have… pic.twitter.com/46z8zRs39O

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) January 22, 2026

The party described the move as part of what it called a larger ideological pattern, saying it reflected “the natural extension of a mindset” that seeks to impose uniformity.

In its post, the TMC cited earlier incidents to underline its criticism, including remarks allegedly made about fish-eating Bengalis, restrictions on fish in parts of Delhi and the assault of a street vendor for selling chicken patties.

“The Prime Minister derides fish-eating Bengalis as ‘Mughals’. Diktats are issued banning fish in Delhi. A poor street vendor is brutally assaulted for selling chicken patties. Today it’s what we eat. Tomorrow it’s what we wear. Who we love. How we live. What we’re witnessing is the ‘Banchte Chai, BJP Tai’ model, where Bengalis are pushed into submission by Bangla-Birodhi Zamindars imposing monolithic, homogenised identities on our plural ethos,” the party further wrote.

Reiterating its opposition to what it termed cultural imposition, the TMC added, “Bengal will not take lessons on identity from those who neither understand nor respect it.”

The criticism comes days after Prime Minister Modi flagged off India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train on January 17 from Malda town in West Bengal. The semi-high-speed, fully air-conditioned train is designed for overnight travel and aims to improve connectivity between eastern India and the Northeast.

According to the Ministry of Railways, the first commercial run of the Vande Bharat sleeper train between Howrah and Kamakhya received an overwhelming response, with all tickets selling out within hours of bookings opening. Reservations for the train were fully booked within 24 hours after ticket sales began on January 19.

The train began its maiden commercial journey from Kamakhya on January 22 and from Howrah on January 23. It will run six days a week and complete the Howrah–Kamakhya journey in about 14 hours, making it the fastest service on the route.

Source : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/policing-our-plates-tmc-attacks-centre-over-vande-bharat-sleepers-veg-only-menu-alleges-cultural-imposition/articleshow/127146876.cms 

Ten Indian Army soldiers were killed and 11 injured after an Army truck skidded off a high-altitude road and plunged into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief and condolences over the tragedy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed deep grief over the tragic road accident in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district that claimed the lives of 10 Indian Army soldiers.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister said he was “deeply anguished” by the incident and paid tribute to the fallen soldiers. “Deeply anguished by the mishap in Doda, in which we have lost our brave army personnel. Their service to the nation will be remembered forever. May the injured recover at the earliest. All possible support is being provided to those affected,” he wrote.

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Deeply anguished by the mishap in Doda, in which we have lost our brave army personnel. Their service to the nation will be remembered forever. May the injured recover at the earliest. All possible support is being provided to those affected.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 22, 2026

The accident occurred when an Army truck skidded off the road at the 9,000-feet-high Khanni top along the Bhaderwah–Chamba interstate route and plunged into a deep gorge. Ten soldiers lost their lives, while 11 others sustained injuries.

A joint rescue operation was immediately launched by the Army and local police. Four soldiers were found dead at the spot, while six others succumbed to their injuries during treatment. Of the injured, ten soldiers were airlifted to the Udhampur Command Hospital for specialised medical care, while one soldier remains under observation at the Bhaderwah sub-district hospital.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/their-service-will-be-remembered-forever-pm-modi-condoles-loss-of-army-soldiers-in-doda-road-accident

 

The PM emphasised that close cooperation between India and Brazil remains crucial for advancing the shared interests of the Global South.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday, announcing that he will be welcoming the South American leader to India soon. The Ministry of External Affairs is yet to announce the schedule of his trip. The PM emphasised that close cooperation between India and Brazil remains crucial for advancing the shared interests of the Global South.

The Brazilian president will visit India as both countries prepare for increased diplomatic engagement this year amid the US tariff heat.

During the call, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the progress of the India-Brazil Strategic Partnership.

“Glad to speak with President Lula. We reviewed the strong momentum in the India-Brazil Strategic Partnership, which is poised to scale new heights in the year ahead,” Modi said in a post on X.

He added, “Our close cooperation is vital for advancing the shared interests of the Global South. I look forward to welcoming him to India soon.”

Before this, the two leaders spoke in August last year, where the conversation included a review of recent global developments, with President Lula raising the issue of new tariffs imposed by the US.

Brazilian President Lula revealed that he discussed the “imposition of unilateral tariffs” with PM Modi after US President Trump imposed a 50% tariff on both countries. However, in November, Trump lifted the 40% tariffs he had imposed on certain Brazilian food products.

President Lula has previously expressed concerns about the impact of these trade measures, stating, “What President Trump is doing is tacit — he wants to dismantle multilateralism.”

India-Brazil trade has seen substantial growth, with bilateral merchandise trade reaching USD 12.19 billion in FY 2024–25, making Brazil India’s largest trading partner in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Both leaders agreed to keep communication channels open and to pursue closer collaboration in agriculture, health, and people-to-people ties.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-brazil-strategic-partnership-pm-modi-president-lula-state-visit-us-tariff-heat-2856401-2026-01-22

Musthafa, 35, was held from one of her relatives’ house at Vadakara in Kozhikode where she was hiding. The police had issued a look out circular as she absconded.

Woman vlogger Shimjitha Musthafa was held by the police on Wednesday in connection with the death of a youth in Kerala allegedly after she posted a video accusing him of sexual misconduct in a bus.

Musthafa, 35, was held from one of her relatives’ house at Vadakara in Kozhikode where she was hiding. The police had issued a look out circular as she absconded.

Deepak U of Govindapuram in Kozhikode was found hanging in his house on January 18. Musthafa posted videos of Deepak traveling in a bus in which she was also travelling on January 16. She accused him of inappropriately touching her with sexual intention and the video had gone viral.

Deepak’s father Choyi and mother Kanyaka said that he was very upset over the incident as he was innocent. Hence he ended life by suicide.

The incident triggered strong protest against Musthafa with even women accusing her of raising baseless allegations for publicity.

The police registered a case against her for abetment of suicide under section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Musthafa was produced before court and remanded to judicial custody. Youth Congress activists staged a demonstration against Musthafa, who is also a former local body member in Malappuram.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/kerala/woman-vlogger-accused-of-suicide-abetment-held-in-kerala-3870123

Justice A Badharudeen declined to grant the relief to Padmakumar, former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) administrative officer B Murari Babu and Roddam Pandurangaiah Naga Govardhan, a jeweller based in Ballari, Karnataka.

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday dismissed the bail pleas of former TDB president A Padmakumar and two others in the Sabarimala gold loss cases, saying that the accused “jointly looted” Lord Ayyappa’s property in the guise of protecting it.

Justice A Badharudeen declined to grant the relief to Padmakumar, former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) administrative officer B Murari Babu and Roddam Pandurangaiah Naga Govardhan, a jeweller based in Ballari, Karnataka.

The High Court said that the accused on the premise of protecting the property of the deity, jointly looted it and this was prima facie evident from the records of the prosecution.

It further said that the antique value of the gold misappropriated cannot be quantified in terms of money and for that reason, the crimes “have an independent identity” which is separate from ordinary offences where grant of bail is recognised as a rule.

“Thus, these crimes are definitely crimes which would fall under the category of exception. In such a case, premature release of Govardhan would definitely impede the investigation of these crimes.

“In such a view of the matter, the bail plea, at the instance of Govardhan, at this stage could not be considered and therefore, his bail application must fail,” the court said in its 119-page order dismissing the pleas.

It further said that if Padmakumar was released on bail, then the investigating officer would not be able to jointly question all the arrested former TDB members, including N Vijayakumar and K P Sankara Das.

Besides that, Padmakumar, being a former TDB president and MLA, was very influential and if released on bail, “would definitely interfere with the investigation, including the recovery of the remaining part of gold alleged to be misappropriated,” the court said.

Regarding Murari Babu, the court said that his role in the misappropriation of the gold could not be viewed lightly and as the crimes were an exception, the general rule of granting bail “would not apply”.

“As already observed, Babu is one among the prime accused in both crimes, and when serious allegations of this nature are raised, that too, misappropriation from a temple by the persons, who were assigned to protect the same become the looters, grant of bail to such an accused could not be considered, particularly when the investigation is on the mid stage, where recovery of a large portion of the gold ornaments is yet to be effected,” the court said.

It said that if Babu was released on bail, “he would stand in the way of investigation, including recovery of the gold”.

“Accordingly, these bail applications stand dismissed. It is made clear that if Babu is entitled to get statutory bail on failure on the part of the prosecution to file a final report in any of the cases, he is set at liberty to move the same and the same shall be considered in accordance with law,” the court said.

It further said that in order to have an effective prosecution of the culprits in the cases, recovery of the misappropriated gold was absolutely essential as failure to do so “will give an edge” to the accused persons to get away from the penal consequences.

“…the misappropriation herein is one unheard of. That is, here the persons who now got booked as accused, are persons, who are duty bound to protect and preserve the temple property of the holy deity Sree Sabarimala Ayyappan,” the court said.

It also asked the investigating officer to examine if anyone else, other than the accused, were involved in the crimes related to loss of gold from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols and Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) door frames of the shrine at Sabarimala.

In its order, the court also issued directions to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital, where Sankara Das is currently admitted after being remanded to judicial custody, to find out whether he was suffering from any ailment and if his continued hospitalisation was necessary.

The court directed the hospital to constitute a medical board of expert doctors and file a report based on their opinion regarding Das’ illness and continued hospitalisation.

The report has to be filed on or before January 27, it said.

The court also noted that Das’ arrest was delayed and that his son was a DIG in the state police.

The court in its judgement also referred to a famous Malayalam film song, which translated into English read as — ‘Even if one performs penance in the midst of five fires (Panchagni), would it be a sufficient atonement for these sinful deeds?’, and said everybody, “regardless of their caste or creed or stature”, may be murmuring this song “to have a sigh of relief and to express their grief, dissatisfaction, and discontent regarding the nature of allegations involved in these crimes”.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/kerala/sabarimala-gold-loss-accused-jointly-looted-lord-ayyappas-property-says-kerala-high-court-3870159

Yona Beach Club has denied the allegations of racism, saying that its entry rules were part of a crowd management strategy.

A group of Indian tourists have alleged racial discrimination at a well-known beach club in Thailand after they were allegedly denied entry despite having confirmed reservations. The allegations were shared on Instagram by Goa-based musician Jonas Monteiro, who said the incident occurred on January 19, 2025, at Yona Beach Club, a floating beach club popular among international tourists.

According to the post, the group arrived at the venue on time and had valid tickets, but were stopped at the entrance by security staff. The bouncers allegedly told them that entry would only be allowed if there were women in the group – a condition the tourists claimed was never communicated during the booking process.

“When our female friend, who also had a valid ticket, said she was with us, she was told to leave too, with yet another excuse: ‘It has to be under the same booking name’. The excuses kept changing,” Monterio claimed.

He further alleged that they overheard staff explicitly saying, “Don’t let any Indians enter,” which they said confirmed their suspicion of racial discrimination.

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The user went on to claim that multiple Indian couples and groups were turned away the same day under similar pretexts, with staff allegedly telling one couple they “don’t look good enough for the club.”

“When we approached the manager, he refused to answer any questions. He took photos of our tickets, cancelled them on the spot, did the same to our female friends, and forced us to leave immediately and wait for a refund,” Monteiro wrote.

Monteiro also shared screenshots that showed booking confirmations, a receipt of 12,000 baht for entry, followed by a cancellation message and a refund confirmation issued later. “This has nothing to do with rules, timing, or dress code. This was targeted, open racism against Indians,” he wrote.

Club responds to the allegations

The allegations prompted a response from the club. Responding in the comments section, Yona Beach Club denied the allegations of racism. “We respectfully disagree with this allegation of racism. The Indian community is among the most represented on board, and we are proud of this, as well as of the international diversity of our guests,” the club said.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/indian-tourists-allege-racism-at-thailand-beach-club-management-responds-101769017088624.html

 

A techie’s X post on ₹70,000 rent for a semi-furnished 2BHK has sparked a discussion online over Bengaluru’s soaring housing costs.

A tech professional’s frustration over Bengaluru’s spiralling rental prices has triggered a discussion online, with many residents echoing similar struggles to find an affordable home in the city.

Taking to X, user Rajvi shared her disbelief at the rents being quoted for apartments in the tech hub. “Bangalore rent scene is crazy and in immense competition with Bombay because what do u mean u want 70k rent for a semi furnished 2bhk??” she wrote in an X post that quickly went viral.

Speaking to HT.com, Rajvi said she is a 24-year-old software engineer who has been house-hunting in Kadubeesanahalli, a prominent IT corridor in east Bengaluru.

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Bangalore rent scene is crazy and in immense competition with bombay because what do u mean u want 70k rent for a semi furnished 2bhk??

— Rajvi (@rajvishah30) January 20, 2026

How did social media react?

Her post struck a chord with social media users, many of whom shared their own experiences of navigating the city’s competitive rental market. “Except east Bangalore, avg 2bhk rent around 25 to 30k,” one user commented, suggesting that prices vary sharply by location.

Others reacted with humour. “70k for a semi furnished 2BHK? What’s furnished …the trauma?” another user joked. Several responses pointed to how quickly rents have climbed in recent years. “My first flat in Bangalore was 30K for semi furnished 3bhk back in 2024,” one person recalled, highlighting the sharp jump in prices in a short span of time.

Some users also argued that the steep rents are particularly hard to justify in areas known for congestion. “It is east Bengaluru rent and it is crazy given the amenities and hell traffic you will have to bear,” another remarked.

“Bangalore land lords don’t have limits for their greed !!” commented one user.

“Plus 11 months deposit. My mind was blown when I found out this is a common thing in Bangalore. Who tf pays 70k rent with 11 month deposit, and then be lectured around by the society unkils on how to behave in a complex ?” wrote another.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/bangalore-rent-scene-is-crazy-techie-hunting-for-flat-told-kadubeesanahalli-2bhk-is-rs-70000-101769008389363.html

 

Vinod Kumar went viral after posting his innocent first vlog at the age of 70.

We often say age is just a number and that it is never too late to try something new. One 70-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh has proved this in the most heart-warming way.

At an age when many people slow down, he picked up a phone and started vlogging.

Within just 48 hours, his simple and honest vlogging crossed 22.2 million views on Instagram, turning him into an internet sensation.

The video begins with him saying, “70 saal ki umar mein apna pehla vlog bana raha hoon.”

He then explains that he does not know how to vlog, yet he is trying because he wants to spend his time in a meaningful way.

“Mujhe vlog banana nahi ata par mai koshish kar raha hoon,” he says.

His honesty and innocence made viewers smile and reminded many of their own parents and grandparents.

HT.com has reached out to the user for more details. This report will be updated when he responds.

Here’s how people reacted to the video:

Instagram users quickly filled the comments with messages of support and admiration after the video went viral.

One of the users commented, “Age is just a number, uncle.”

A second user commented, “Lage raho uncle! Hum aapke saath hai.”

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/70-year-old-up-uncle-gets-22-million-views-for-his-first-vlog-in-just-47-hours-mujhe-vlog-banana-nahi-ata-101768985898263.html

Several shells have been recovered near the International Border in Samba district. According to sources, these shells were found from the Devak River area.

Security forces in the border district of Samba recovered several shells near the International Border with Pakistan amid heightened security ahead of Republic Day celebrations.

The shells were found near the Devak River in Samba district. A Bomb Disposal Squad was immediately rushed to the site and the explosives were safely defused at a secure location. No injuries were reported. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine how the shells reached the area, sources told Times Now.

The recovery came amid renewed drone activity along the border. On Saturday evening, a suspected Pakistani drone was briefly sighted hovering over Kandral village in the Ramgarh area of Samba district. According to officials, the drone-like object crossed over from the Pakistan side around 7 PM and remained in the area for a couple of minutes before disappearing.

Following the sighting, security forces launched a search operation to check for possible airdrops of illicit payloads, including weapons or narcotics. No objectionable material was found during the operation, officials said.

Drone movements have been reported repeatedly in the region this month. Earlier on January 9, security forces recovered an arms consignment in Paloora village of Ghagwal area in Samba district that was believed to have been dropped by a drone originating from Pakistan. The recovered items included two pistols, three magazines, 16 rounds of ammunition and a grenade.

In a separate incident earlier this week, Pakistani drones were spotted hovering along the Line of Control in Poonch district and along the International Border in the Ramgarh sector of Samba. Security forces activated their anti-unmanned aerial systems to respond to the threat, and troops remain on high alert along the border.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/shells-recovered-near-international-border-in-samba-district-jammu-and-kashmir-article-153483567

The Defence Procurement Board approved the €30 billion project, which will soon be presented to the Defence Acquisition Council for final approval. While negotiations are ongoing, the deal could be finalised by year-end.

The defence ministry has taken the first major step towards the acquisition of 114 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF), one of the biggest “acquisition projects” since independence.

The Defence Procurement Board (DPB) headed by the defence secretary, Rajesh Singh, and including the three vice-chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, cleared this 30 billion Euro project last week. .

With the DPB clearance done, the 114 Rafale deal is likely to be placed before the crucial Defence Acquisition Council meeting, likely next month. The DAC is chaired by Rakshya Mantri Rajnath Singh and includes the minister of state in the defence ministry, chief of defence staff, the three service chiefs, the defence secretary, the chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation, and others.

The structure of the deal is still being worked out, keeping in mind India’s atmanirbharata or self-reliance policy. The idea is to ensure that the programme is as indigenised as possible. Ideally, indigenous content ought to be about 40-50 percent, which means that Dassault, which makes the Rafale, will have to set up a plant here and work with Indian vendors towards the production of the plane. The overwhelming number of Rafales will be made in India and will have components made by Indian firms. The negotiations, regarding the price and the indigenous content are still going on.

If the discussions between Dassault and the defence ministry go according to plan, the deal can be signed by the end of this year, but there is a long way to go, keeping in mind the financial issues involved in the project.

India already purchased 36 Rafales from Dassault Systèmes, a French firm. The Navy has also signed a deal with Dassault for 26 Rafale Marine fighters for its aircraft carriers, but these 114 Rafales, unlike the 36, will be manufactured largely in India. Of course, hard-nosed negotiations regarding the cost will be necessary as well as political discussions at the highest level.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/114-rafales-made-in-india-biggest-fighter-jet-acquisition-since-independence-article-153479735

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

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

FIP reiterates concerns over aircraft faults

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

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

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

Petition before Supreme Court

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

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

ALPA India questions probe

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Sunita Williams Said On Her Retirement:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There are no other candidates in the fray.

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

How Mayors Are Elected

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

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

Election Process

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

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

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

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

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

CHIEF MINISTER BRIEFED, ANGER WITHIN GOVERNMENT

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

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

OFFICER DENIES CHARGE, CALLS VIDEO MORPHED

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ABOUT THE CASE

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dashcam Video Shows Rider Threatening Family In Car

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Floral tribute

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

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

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

Leaders present

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Congress Distances Itself From Baraiya’s Remark

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

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

‘Shameful & Shocking’: BJP Attacks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OVERWORKED ROSTERS AND THIN BUFFERS

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

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

PLANNING FAILURES AND REGULATORY PREPAREDNESS

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

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

ACTION AGAINST SENIOR MANAGEMENT

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

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

PENALTY BREAK-UP

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

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

BANK GUARANTEE AND SYSTEMIC REFORMS

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

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

BOARD RESPONSE AND PASSENGER COMPENSATION

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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May such a tragedy never happen again. I visited the 26/11 memorial at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel remembering the 166 innocent lives lost, including 6 Americans. I honor the valor of the Indian security forces and am proud that under President Trump, the United States extradited… pic.twitter.com/E25QmA3Ndv

— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) January 17, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Has the Karnataka Bill addressed these deficiencies?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Delhi Woman Alleges Privacy Breach At Jaipur Hotel

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

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

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

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

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

Alleged Response From Hotel Staff

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

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

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

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

See more

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Jaipur Mansarovar last weekend as a family. We had 8 rooms booked.

On Monday evening (Jan 12, around 6:30–7:30 pm), two hotel staff members used a master key to enter one of our rooms (3808).

The room had already been cleaned.
No one had asked for…

— Janhavi Jain (@janwhyy) January 14, 2026

A Travel Designer Weighs In

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

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

See more

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Jaipur Mansarovar last weekend as a family. We had 8 rooms booked.

On Monday evening (Jan 12, around 6:30–7:30 pm), two hotel staff members used a master key to enter one of our rooms (3808).

The room had already been cleaned.
No one had asked for…

— Janhavi Jain (@janwhyy) January 14, 2026

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

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As far as my experience goes, most hotels do a turn down service of occupied rooms towards the evening. There is a check of mini bar usage, replenishing of bathroom amenities, towel changes and bed covers are removed to prepare the beds for night. Most often than not, this is…

— Loveleen Arun (@LoveleenArun) January 14, 2026

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

See more

This is incorrect.
The room had already been cleaned earlier in the day. After that, it was an occupied room, and hotel staff should not enter again without the guest’s permission unless there is an emergency or a specific service request.
Routine cleaning was already completed.…

— Janhavi Jain (@janwhyy) January 14, 2026

Others Share Similar Experiences

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

See more

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Jaipur Mansarovar last weekend as a family. We had 8 rooms booked.

On Monday evening (Jan 12, around 6:30–7:30 pm), two hotel staff members used a master key to enter one of our rooms (3808).

The room had already been cleaned.
No one had asked for…

— Janhavi Jain (@janwhyy) January 14, 2026

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

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We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Jaipur Mansarovar last weekend as a family. We had 8 rooms booked.

On Monday evening (Jan 12, around 6:30–7:30 pm), two hotel staff members used a master key to enter one of our rooms (3808).

The room had already been cleaned.
No one had asked for…

— Janhavi Jain (@janwhyy) January 14, 2026

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

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We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Jaipur Mansarovar last weekend as a family. We had 8 rooms booked.

On Monday evening (Jan 12, around 6:30–7:30 pm), two hotel staff members used a master key to enter one of our rooms (3808).

The room had already been cleaned.
No one had asked for…

— Janhavi Jain (@janwhyy) January 14, 2026

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

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

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We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Jaipur Mansarovar last weekend as a family. We had 8 rooms booked.

On Monday evening (Jan 12, around 6:30–7:30 pm), two hotel staff members used a master key to enter one of our rooms (3808).

The room had already been cleaned.
No one had asked for…

— Janhavi Jain (@janwhyy) January 14, 2026

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

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An interesting story built on “what if” scenarios. It clearly showcases how guest expectations are built on their own whims. The guest didn’t use the “Do Not Disturb” card, the hotel didn’t do a good job explaining. Lessons for both. https://t.co/egD8hwbFiv

— Anuj Khare (@KhareAnuj) January 14, 2026

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

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This is called evening service. Housekeeping staff enters after knocking the door. I think you are just making an unnecessary issue out of it. https://t.co/KBnW6ZoojP

— S Raju (@rajusvin) January 14, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

China emerges as bright spot

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nithin Kamath Criticises BSE, NSE Closure

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

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Indian stock exchanges are closed today for Mumbai’s municipal elections.

The fact that our exchanges, which have international linkages, are shut down for a local municipal election shows poor planning and a serious lack of appreciation for second-order effects.

As Munger…

— Nithin Kamath (@Nithin0dha) January 15, 2026

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

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

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

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

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