Category: India

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, reportedly being “sidelined” by the Congress over his praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kerala government’s policies, put up a cryptic post on X Saturday, stating, that being wise is sometimes a mistake.
Sharing a quote from English poet Thomas Gray’s poem ‘Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College’, Tharoor wrote, “Though of the Day: “Where ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise.”
The post comes amid buzz of a rift between him and the Congress.

According to a report, Tharoor is “unhappy” after his recent meeting with Rahul Gandhi failed to address his concerns over his role in the party.

Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Saturday ordered the suspension of the state transport buses to Karnataka after an MSRTC bus was attacked in the neighbouring state.

Mr Sarnaik said the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus, which was travelling from Bengaluru to Mumbai, was attacked in Chitradurga around 9.10 pm on Friday by pro-Kannada activists.

They also blackened the face of driver Bhaskar Jadhav and assaulted him, the minister said.

A police case has been registered in Karnataka in connection with the alleged attack.

“Bus services to Karnataka won’t be resumed unless the Karnataka government makes its stand clear on the issue,” he said.

On the same day, a conductor of the state-owned transport corporation bus of Karnataka was allegedly assaulted on the outskirts of the district headquarters town of Belagavi bordering Maharashtra, for not replying to a girl in Marathi.

It is unclear whether the attack on the MSRTC bus in Chitradurga was in retaliation to the alleged assault on the conductor.

Mr Sarnaik said the MSRTC bus (MH-14 KQ 7714) had barely crossed Chitradurga when pro-Kannada activists attacked the vehicle.

Four people have been arrested in another case for allegedly assaulting the conductor in Belagavi, the police said. The conductor has also been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, they said.

With tears in his eyes, the 51-year-old conductor, Mahadevappa Mallappa Hukkeri, on Friday told reporters that a girl who boarded the bus with her male friend at Sulebhavi village spoke in Marathi. Hukkeri said he told her that he did not know Marathi and asked her to speak in Kannada.

“When I said I don’t know Marathi, the girl abused me saying that I must learn Marathi. Suddenly a large number of people gathered and assaulted me on my head and all over the body,” the conductor said.

The injured bus conductor was admitted to the Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences, police said, adding he got minor injuries and was out of danger.

“A case was registered and we have arrested four people in connection with the assault on the conductor and based on a counter complaint lodged by the girl, who is 14 years old, a case was registered against the conductor under POCSO for allegedly using derogatory remarks against her,” a senior police officer said.

“No arrest has been made yet in connection with the POCSO case. We need to investigate and look into the allegations and accordingly, further action will be taken,” he said.

Speaking to reporters, Belagavi Police Commissioner Iada Martin Marbaniang said, four accused have been arrested in connection with assault on the conductor. Three teams led by as many inspectors have been formed to arrest the other accused who are on the run.

“All those involved in the incident will be arrested soon,” he said.

A counter case has come from the opposite side, accusing the conductor of misbehaving with the girl. A case was registered on Friday night in this regard, he said.

“We are doing the investigation and we will see what is the truth. Accordingly, we will take action as per law….during the investigation we will get statements from other passengers on the bus. We will be very neutral,” he said.

Pointing out that the region has been witnessing tension because of the border issue for long and this incident may trigger a problem, the Commissioner said in response to a question. He also said that he had spoken to the neighbouring district’s SP to ensure law and order.

“The issue can be handled through an investigation. There is nothing to be concerned about it. Peace must be maintained by everyone,” he added.

Following the incident, pro-Kannada activists staged a protest on Saturday by blocking the Belagavi-Bagalkote road and burning effigies. They were whisked away in a police van.

Similarly, activists staged a protest in front of Marihal police station condemning the alleged attack on the conductor and terming the case registered against him as false. They were also taken away from the spot by the police.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/maharashtra-suspends-bus-services-to-karnataka-after-attack-on-driver-7771374

Anand Mahindra on Kash Patel: Business tycoon Anand Mahindra, known for his highly engaging social media presence and witty remarks, has once again captured everyone’s attention with his response to an X user who suggested he gift a Thar SUV to Kash Patel.

Patel, an Indian-American citizen, is set to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), one of the most powerful intelligence and security services in the US. He was officially sworn in as the new Director of the FBI on Friday.

Anand Mahindra on Kash Patel: Business tycoon Anand Mahindra, known for his highly engaging social media presence and witty remarks, has once again captured everyone’s attention with his response to an X user who suggested he gift a Thar SUV to Kash Patel.

Patel, an Indian-American citizen, is set to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), one of the most powerful intelligence and security services in the US. He was officially sworn in as the new Director of the FBI on Friday.

In response, an X user named Harshit commented, “Inko bhi Thar gift kar do sir (Gift him a Thar too, sir).” Continuing with his humorous style, Mahindra’s reply sparked interest online.

“Hmmm. Thar ke layak toh lagta hai ye shaks (Hmm. This man does seem worthy of a Thar),” Mahindra replied to the X user. The interaction quickly went viral, with social media users praising Mahindra’s wit.

Harshit’s reply was not without context, as Anand Mahindra has previously gifted cars from his auto company to several prominent personalities in recognition of their achievements.

Previously, Anand Mahindra had gifted a brand-new Mahindra Scorpio-N to Sheetal Devi, India’s first armless archer. Further, Naushad Khan, father of India batter Sarfaraz Khan, was also gifted a Thar by the Mahindra Group chairman.

Meanwhile, Kash Patel recently grabbed headlines as he emerged as one of the most influential appointees of the Trump administration following his appointment as FBI director.

Source : https://www.news18.com/viral/new-fbi-director-kash-patel-deserves-a-thar-see-anand-mahindras-viral-response-to-x-user-9237473.html

A prisoner from Dausa’s Salawas jail on Friday night allegedly threatened to kill Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, police said.

Police said that 29-year-old Rinku, serving life sentence in a rape case, called the Jaipur police control room and threatened to kill the chief minister.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/rajasthan/prisoner-threatens-to-kill-rajasthan-cm-bhajanlal-sharma-3417108

The Railway Ministry issued a clarification after some social media posts claimed that it had asked X to remove all stampede videos from the platform. The railways spokesperson, in a post on X, said it only requested for removal of sensitive content and disturbing images “to uphold the dignity of victims, especially women”.

“Please refrain from spreading fake news,” read the post.

According to the sources, the decision was taken after some stampede-affected family members requested the ministry to initiate the process as the pictures and videos are disrespectful to the the dead, and very disturbing and traumatising to the survivors and their relatives.

Eighteen passengers died and many others were injured in the stampede near platform number 14 of New Delhi Railway Station allegedly due to confusion on the announcement of two Prayagraj-bound trains.

Earlier today, postmortem reports revealed that 15 of the 18 victims died due to traumatic asphyxia (suffocation), which happened due to heavy pressure on the chest. Two people died due to hemorrhagic shock, which happened due to severe injury to the chest. While one person died due to heavy pressure on the head.

Meanwhile, days after the tragedy the railways established holding areas in various stations as part of its preparation in anticipation of a surge in Maha Kumbh pilgrims during the final week of the religious congregation in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj.

“This initiative aims to improve crowd management and enhance passenger safety, especially during peak hours and festive seasons,” the ministry said.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/new-delhi-railway-station-stampede-fact-check-did-railways-ask-x-to-remove-all-stampede-videos-7765014

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) slammed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government in Punjab after one of the ministers in the state cabinet was found to have been running a non-existent department for nearly 20 months.

Dhaliwal has been in the spotlight as Punjab’s NRI Affairs minister ever since the US deported the first lot of illegal migrants to Amritsar on February 5, followed by two other such flights.

In a gazette notification, the Punjab government said the Department of Administrative Reforms, which was allocated to Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, was no longer in existence. Dhaliwal will now only hold the portfolio of NRI Affairs in the state Cabinet.

“In partial modification of Punjab Government Notification No. 2/1/2022-2Cabinet/2230 dated 23.09.2024, regarding allocation of portfolios amongst the Ministers, the Department of Administrative Reforms earlier allotted to Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Cabinet Minister is not in existence as on date,” read the notification.

Dhaliwal was earlier allotted the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, but was relieved of the position during a Cabinet reshuffle in May 2023, as per reports. He was assigned the NRI Affairs portfolio as well as Administrative Reforms after that reshuffle, which he retained after a September 2024 cabinet reshuffle.

The BJP reacted sharply to this development, accusing Dhaliwal of running a department for 20 months that never existed. “Imagine for 20 months the CM did not even know that a minister was running a NON EXISTENT DEPARTMENT,” said BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari.

“You can imagine the crisis in Punjab government if it took nearly 20 months to realise that a department assigned to one of its prominent ministers never actually existed. Arvind Kejriwal is a charlatan who must be banished from public life,” said BJP IT Department In-charge Amit Malviya.

Even Shiromani Akali Dal’s Harsimrat Kaur Badal lashed out at AAP for ministers being ignorant of the portfolios they hold. “All this is happening because ministers have no role in governance as the govt is being run in remote control from Delhi,” she said.

A source told The Indian Express that after Dhaliwal was given the Administrative Reforms department, he asked the government for clarity as his department did not have a secretary.

“He was told that the administrative reforms was a part of the governance reforms department only. The department was about ushering the department in the era of information technology. Now with the notification, the confusion has been sorted,” the source said.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/aap-minister-in-punjab-found-running-non-existent-department-for-20-months-bjp-reacts-9236527.html

The Cyber Cell of Maharashtra Police on Friday lodged a case against at least 4 editors of Wikipedia for not taking down “objectionable” content on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj from the open-source encyclopedia.
The agency had earlier sent a notice to the California-based Wikimedia Foundation. The action followed claims by various organisations about the existence of defamatory information related to Sambhaji Maharaj, on Wikipedia, the open source encyclopedia.
The objections came against the backdrop of the recently released Hindi film “Chhava”, based on the life of Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Maratha empire founder Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, PTI reported.

Earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed the Maharashtra Cyber to approach Wikipedia and ask for the removal of the objectionable content about Sambhaji Maharaj.

According to a report by PTI, the notice was sent under section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act and section 168 (Prevention of cognisable offences) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
The notice maintained that the Wikipedia content was inaccurate and lacked proper references or sources, inciting communal hatred as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj is highly revered in India.
The Maharashtra Cyber stated that “this misinformation is causing unrest among his followers and could potentially lead to the law-and-order situation.
Considering the gravity of the situation and its potential impact, Maharashtra Cyber also directed the Wikimedia Foundation to remove the objectionable content in a timely manner and prevent its re-uploading in the future, the official added.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/4-wikipedia-editors-booked-for-not-removing-objectionable-content-on-sambhaji-maharaj-article-118449864

A clash broke out between two groups in Bihar’s Sasaram over cheating in the matriculation examination on Friday. One student was shot dead and two were injured in the incident, according to PTI.
“A gunfight between students took place… one of the students received bullet injury in the leg and another in the back. One of the students succumbed to injury during treatment,” a police official told the news agency.

“Villagers along with family members of the deceased student tried to block the highway, however, we ensured them of action in the case. They were convinced and took the body for final rites,” he added.

Visuals from the spot showed locals and police camping on the road as tyres burn, blocking the traffic.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/clash-over-cheating-in-exam-hall-in-bihars-sasaram-one-student-dead-two-others-injured-video-article-118446409

A man allegedly locked his ailing mother at home and went to Prayagraj for a holy dip at Maha Kumbh along with his wife, children and in-laws, reported PTI. The woman was rescued after neighbours heard a crying sound from the house.
Akhilesh Kumar had locked his 65-year-old mother, Sanju Devi, inside his Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) quarter in Subhash Nagar colony in Ranchi’s Ramgarh, the police said. He went to Maha Kumbh along with his wife, children and in-laws.
The woman was locked in the home since Monday and survived on Chura (flattened rice). The neighbours came to know about her when she cried in hunger for help, police said.

The woman’s daughter Chandni Devi, who resides around five kilometres away from the CCL quarter in Kahubera, said that she got the information about her mother over the phone from neighbours. Later, the woman was rescued by the police.

“The elderly woman, identified as Sanju Devi, was locked by her son, Akhilesh Kumar, in his CCL quarter since Monday. Kumar along with his family went to Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. She was rescued on Wednesday after her daughter informed police,” said Ramgarh Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Parmeshwar Prasad.
The police said that Akhilesh Kumar said that his mother was unwell and they came to Prayagraj after making all arrangements for her food and drink. “Police rescued her after breaking the lock. The neighbours immediately gave her food. She was also given medicines and admitted to CCL hospital,” the woman’s daughter told reporters.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/locked-at-home-ailing-mother-survived-on-chura-as-son-visited-maha-kumbh-with-wife-in-laws-article-118444635

A men’s right organisation posted on X last week that the Hindi film ‘Mrs’ (see box), now running, was spreading ‘toxic feminism’.

The Hindi film, a remake of a Malayalam hit, tells the story of a woman confined to the kitchen and assigned household chores. She eventually rebels and walks out of her marriage.

Lawyers have observed a steadily increasing number of women approaching them for divorce when they feel their freedom is being curbed.

Advocate B N Nagaraja says about 40 per cent of the divorce cases he has handled involve conflicts over restriction of identity and “being ordered to do menial chores”.

“Women between 25 and 35 mostly approach us. These problems are often termed as silly by parents and society. However, women are now highly qualified and want to build careers,” he says.

Advocate Mrudula Vanangamudi, who works with Alternative Law Forum, says that cruelty and domestic violence can include verbal, emotional, economic, sexual and other forms of abuse.

About 30 per cent of cases she has handled involve women who file for divorce as they feel they are denied the freedom to shape their own identity.

Although this may not always convince the courts to dissolve the marriage, many couples end up negotiating at length and dissolving the marriage, she says.

Advocate Bojamma P K says that such cases are tried under mental cruelty in Hindu Marriage Act of 1955, Special Marriage Act of 1954, Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act of 1939, and the Indian Divorce Act of 1869.

Women’s rights groups and mental health counsellors also shared with Metrolife about similar cases they have come across.

Rights groups say…

Priya Varadarajan, founder of Durga India, an NGO working on gender equality, says denial of opportunities, emotional abuse, and disproportionate household work are common concerns.

Many women, typically in their late 20s to 30s, approach Durga India for mediation and help, citing problems like possessiveness and restrictions on dressing. Notably, 35 per cent of the 600 women Durga India worked with in the last year complained about denial of opportunities.

Smitha Kumar, programme coordinator at Vimochana, highlights that young women often seek help due to conflicts arising from expectations around cooking, praying, and work timings.

“Women are expected to follow certain rules for safety and to keep up family ideals,” she notes. Marital disputes account for 70 per cent of Vimochana’s cases, with 35 per cent leading to divorce. Last year, 250 of the 1,030 complaints they received were related to financial and emotional abuse, disrespect, and restrictions at home.

Toll on mental health

According to psychotherapist and counsellor Tasneem Nakhoda, even open-minded men say household responsibilities are neglected when their partners focus on their careers.

About 80 per cent of cases she has handled in the past three years have involved marital difficulties. “Within these cases, around 15 per cent involve women restricted to household duties, while around 30 per cent concern women not being allowed to work,” she says.

Psychiatrist Safiya M S says 40 to 50 per cent of her patients are working professionals struggling with identity crises as “good wives and daughters-in-law”. They are typically between 23 and 36, she notes.

In some households, women are expected to wash clothes by hand and adhere to traditional habits, leading to conflicts.

“In other homes, the wife is expected to make the first cup of tea for her husband. Regardless of fatigue, wives are required to wake up early and prepare meals for the family. In some families, all decisions must be made after consulting elders,” she says.

Safiya adds: “Often, businessmen and men from upper-middle-class and upper-class families restrict their partners from working outside.” Women then experience a lack of validation, time, and personal space, she observes.

Psychologist Nithya J Rao says women in toxic marriages are often not allowed to seek counselling until their distress becomes somatic.

“Women from upper classes are often given dummy roles in family businesses, with no financial gain, or they are restricted to teaching and secretarial positions,” she says.

Nithya has observed that “a person in a toxic relationship tries to leave for 13 years” before actually doing it.

What happened?

Bollywood film ‘Mrs’, released on OTT on February 7, is a remake of the Malayalam film ‘The Great Indian Kitchen’. It addresses topics like suppression of a woman’s identity, trivialising of her desires, and dismissal of her needs.

On February 12, Save Indian Family Foundation, a Bengaluru- and Delhi-based men’s rights group, posted on X that men work for eight to nine hours at construction sites, railway stations, airports, and factories, while women do household chores and attend to the family. The post questioned how the latter was considered oppression.

Case studies

Many women, including Bengalureans Seema and Joceline T (names changed), are seeking divorce as they feel they are in similar circumstances.

Seema, a marketing professional, was asked to quit her high-paying job to attend to household duties. With spats with her husband rising, she filed for a divorce.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/is-ott-film-mrs-pitting-women-against-men-3415007

Actor Abhishek Banerjee is shooting for a brand-new film in Prayagraj. The project, which remains tightly under wraps, is already generating anticipation as it is expected to be one of the most significant films in Abhishek’s career.

Abhishek Spotted shooting in Prayagraj with his co- actor Shahana Goswami and crew of the film, they all looked immersed in the spiritual energy surrounding the Maha Kumbh. With the city which is witnessing grand event, the atmosphere is charged with devotion, and the actor is keen to bring his performance to life in this unique setting.

The details of the film, including the storyline and cast, are yet to be disclosed, When we contacted Abhishek for confirmation, he responded, “Yes, I am currently shooting for a film, but I can’t share many details about it. However, I am completely immersed in my performance and deeply experience the spiritual energy of being in Prayagraj.” According to the industry insiders, it could be one of Abhishek’s most ambitious projects to date. Given his track record of choosing compelling and unconventional roles, expectations are high for what this new venture will bring.

Source : https://www.spotboye.com/bollywood/news/abhishek-banerjee-shoots-for-a-new-film-in-prayagraj-amidst-maha-kumbh-festivities/67b6c4ade4cc4f51c1985d7e

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi on Thursday due to stomach-related issues The 78-year-old Congress veteran is doing fine and is likely to be discharged on Friday, PTI reported quoting sources.
Gandhi had turned 78 in December.
While the exact time of admission could not be immediately known, a source said, she was admitted on Thursday morning. She is under the observation of a team of doctors, PTI said quoting sources.

She is under the care of Dr Samiran Nundy, gastroenterology specialist.

Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, in a statement, said, “Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi this morning at 8:30 am due to stomach related issues. She underwent a routine check-up and is now stable and is under observation.”
Sonia Gandhi’s most recent public appearance was during the Rajya Sabha session on February 13, 2025, as part of the Parliament’s Budget session.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/sonia-gandhi-admitted-to-hospital-in-delhi-to-be-discharged-tomorrow-report-article-118426376

India is expected to have “limited impact” by the proposed US reciprocal tariff as the country’s economy is mainly driven by domestic demand, and has substantial services exports, according to a recent report. US President Donald Trump has labelled India as a “tariff abuser” and “tariff king” as he vowed to impose reciprocal tariffs on US’s trading partners.
So, will the US’s reciprocal tariffs slowdown India’s GDP growth?
A recent State Bank of India (SBI) report estimated decline of only 3 to 3.5 per cent, even with tariffs ranging from 15 to 20 per cent. “Tariff reciprocity may turn out to be more of white noise…Our estimates show overall incremental tariff levels even at 15%-20% imposed by USA would still limit the impact on exports to US only in the range of 3-3.5%,” said SBI in its report.

The report also said that this impact would be negated through higher export goals, as India has diversified its exports kitty, pitched value addition, exploring alternate areas and works on new routes that transcend from Europe to USA via the Middle-East, redrawing new supply chain algorithms that foster strategic inclusivity.

“While there is a lot of white noise and froth in the broader markets regarding the extent of impact of tariff on India under proposed ‘Fair & Reciprocal Plan’ that seeks to correct (from US perspectives) longstanding imbalances in international trade and ensure fairness across the board, we understand the overall bilateral negotiations provide a collateral benefit to India,” read the report by SBI’s Economic Research Department.
S&P Global Ratings, Economist Asia-Pacific, Vishrut Rana said the reciprocal tariff will hurt countries like Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan more as they have high trade surplus with the US.
The Indian economy has two mitigating factors — greater reliance on domestic economy and larger services trade with the US, which is not likely to be tariffed.
“India’s dependence on exports for growth is not that great. So, therefore, I think the impact (of US tariffs) will be more or less limited,” S&P Global Ratings, Director, Sovereigns (Asia-Pacific) YeeFarn Phua said.

The Congress on Thursday raised the issue of 50 Indian nationals being deported to Panama from the United States as part of the Donald Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigrants there.

“We would have thought that Indian citizens deported by the Trump Administration would be sent back to India with dignity. Such deportations have taken place in a most inhuman and demeaning manner. Now come reports that more Indian citizens have been deported but to Panama. What is going on?” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh posted on X.

The Congress response comes a day after the government said that it is working closely with the authorities in Panama ensure the well-being of Indians who arrived from the US to the Latin American country.

“Panamanian authorities have informed us that a group of Indians have reached Panama from US. They are safe and secure at a Hotel with all essential facilities. Embassy team has obtained consular access. We are working closely with the host Government to ensure their wellbeing,” the Indian embassy in Panama posted on X.

299 illegal immigrants sent to Panama by US

According to a PTI report, the group of Indians is part of a larger group of 299 migrants sent to Panama by the US government.

These people arrived in the country on three flights last week after President Jose Raul Mulino agreed that Panama would become a “bridge” country for deportees.

Out of the 299 undocumented migrants who landed in Panama, only 171 have agreed to return to their countries of origin, the report added.

Ninety-eight deportees who refused to voluntarily be repatriated to their countries have been sent to a camp in Panama’s Darien province.

The migrants include people from Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Vietnam, according to Mulino.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/what-is-going-on-congress-on-indian-deportees-moved-to-panama-from-us-101740107737698.html

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday raided the house of and questioned Simran Preet Panesar, a 32-year-old former Air Canada manager, who is facing a Canada-wide warrant for his alleged role in the April 2023 gold robbery at the North American nation’s Toronto Pearson International Airport.

An ED team arrived at Simran Preet Panesar’s residence at Sector 79 in Punjab’s Mohali on Friday morning.

“Our teams are in the process of questioning him,” a senior ED officer said.

The Indian Express earlier reported about Panesar living on the outskirts of Chandigarh.

The ED, the central agency which probes financial crimes, has, in a rare instance of investigating a crime beyond India’s territorial boundaries, has launched a money-laundering probe into the case as the accused is now in India.

The idea, officers aware of the matter said, is to investigate if the gold or its proceeds made their way to the country.

Toronto Pearson gold heist

On April 17, 2023, fake paperwork was used to steal an air cargo container carrying gold bars, from a secure storage facility at the Toronto Pearson International Airport.

The stolen cargo contained 6,600 bars of .9999 pure gold weighing 400 kg, valued at over 20 million Canadian Dollars (CAD), and foreign currency worth 2.5 million CAD. The gold and currency had arrived on an Air Canada flight from Zurich, Switzerland, in Toronto, and were destined for a bank in Canada’s largest city.

Shortly after the flight landed, the cargo was offloaded and transported to a separate location on airport property. However, a day later, it was reported ‘missing’ to the police.

The Peel Regional Police (PRP), which described the theft as the ‘biggest gold heist in Canada ever,’ charged nine, including Simran Preet Panesar, in April 2024, and issued an arrest warrant against him. Panesar and another accused, Parampal Sidhu, lived in Brampton, and worked at Toronto Pearson’s warehouse facility.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/atishis-breaking-promises-allegation-after-delhi-cm-rekha-guptas-first-cabinet-meeting-101740100065034.html

A truck driver suffered a heart attack while driving, causing a series of accidents which resulted in the death of one person in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi Wednesday night.

The truck, which was travelling from Shahapur in Yadgir district towards Kalaburagi, went out of control when the driver experienced a medical emergency. The vehicle collided with multiple autos, bikes, and an electric pole before it finally came to a stop.

Mohammad Ali, a 32-year-old vegetable trader, was killed on the spot.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/1-dead-after-truck-driver-suffers-heart-attack-hits-multiple-vehicles-in-karnataka-7759205

For years, she stayed untouchable. But the law finally caught up with the ‘Lady Don’ of Delhi. Zoya Khan, the wife of notorious gangster Hashim Baba, was arrested for possessing 270 grams of heroin, worth approximately Rs 1 crore in the international market.

Zoya, 33, had long been on the radar of law enforcement but always managed to stay a few steps ahead. She managed her jailed husband’s criminal empire by running his gang while ensuring that no direct evidence could link her to illegal activities. Despite suspicions about her role, the police had never been able to build a solid case — until now.

Hashim Baba has dozens of cases against him, ranging from murder and extortion to arms smuggling. Zoya Khan is his third wife. Before marrying Hashim Baba in 2017, Zoya was married to another man. After her divorce, she came into contact with Baba. The two were neighbours in North East Delhi where they fell in love.

Empire Of Crime

After Baba was jailed, Zoya took over the gang’s operations. According to sources, Zoya’s role in her husband’s gang was that of Haseena Parkar, the sister of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, who once controlled his illegal businesses. Sources in the Delhi Police Special Cell say that Zoya was deeply involved in managing extortion and drug supply.

Unlike a typical crime boss, Zoya maintained a certain image. She attended high-profile parties, flaunted expensive clothes, and indulged in luxury brands – details evident from her presence on social media where she enjoys a large following.

Zoya frequently visited her husband in Tihar Jail. Police sources say Baba trained her in coded language, giving her tips and advice on how to manage the gang’s finances and operations. She also maintained direct contact with his associates outside prison, as well as with other criminals.

For years, the Special Cell and Crime Branch of the Delhi Police struggled to catch her. This time, however, the Special Cell succeeded. Acting on intelligence, the police arrested Zoya in the Welcome area of North East Delhi. She was caught red-handed with a large quantity of heroin, allegedly sourced from Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar for further distribution.

The police suspect that Zoya also provided shelter to shooters involved in the Nadir Shah murder case. Mr Shah, a gym owner in South Delhi’s posh Greater Kailash-1 area, was shot dead in September 2024. Last month, she was interrogated at the Lodhi Colony office of the Special Cell in connection with the shooting.

Family Background 

For Zoya, crime is a family enterprise. Her mother was jailed in 2024 for her alleged involvement in a sex trafficking ring. She is currently out on bail. Her father was linked to drug supply networks. Zoya herself operated from different locations in North East Delhi, particularly Usmanpur, always surrounded by 4-5 armed henchmen –loyalists of her gangster husband.

The North East Delhi region has long been associated with criminal gangs, including the Chhenu gang, the Hashim Baba gang, and the Nasir Pehelwan gang, among others. While these groups initially focused on drug trafficking, their conflicts have resulted in a series of violent murders after 2007.

Baba’s gang amassed massive extortion revenue, much of which was funnelled to Zoya.

Links To Lawrence Bishnoi

Baba’s name surfaced in the Nadir Shah murder case last year. While in Tihar Jail, he allegedly confessed to his role in the killing and implicated Lawrence Bishnoi – another jailed gangster who runs a massive network of shooters, involved in the murder of musician Sidhu Moose Wala and the firing incident outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s Mumbai residence.

Former Delhi CM and AAP leader Atishi targeted the BJP government and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta for not approving the proposal to provide financial assistance of Rs 2,500 to the women of Delhi in its first cabinet meeting as promised.

She accused BJP of breaking its promises and said BJP made up their mind to cheat the people of Delhi.

In a self-made video, Atishi said, “BJP had promised the women of Delhi that in the first cabinet meeting itself, they would pass the scheme in which women of Delhi would be getting Rs 2,500. The new CM Rekha Gupta and her cabinet ministers took oath. In the evening, at 7 pm, the first cabinet meeting took place. All the women of Delhi were expecting that scheme to be passed…The first day itself BJP started breaking their promises…they did not pass the scheme…BJP has made up their mind to cheat people of Delhi.”

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who chaired the first cabinet meeting after taking the oath, announced that her government will implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme with Rs 5 lakh top-up and present the 14 pending CAG reports in the first sitting of Assembly.

Addressing a press conference, she said that the Delhi government will implement the Centre’s flagship scheme in the national capital. This was a pre-poll promise of the BJP, which had targeted the AAP government for not implementing the scheme.

She also announced the tabling of CAG reports, which had not been tabled by the AAP government.

“In the first Cabinet meeting, we discussed and passed two agendas – to implement in Delhi the Ayushman Bharat scheme with Rs 5 lakhs top up and tabling of 14 CAG reports in the first seating of the Assembly. We will fulfil all the commitments that we have made to the people.” Rekha Gupta said.

She said the Delhi government will pay for the top-up and will sign a MoU with the Centre.

Asked about AAP leader and former Chief Minister Atishi pointing out that BJP had promised to pass the scheme to provide Rs 2,500 to women every month in the first cabinet meeting, Rekha Gupta said the BJP government will set its agenda.

“It’s our government; the agenda will be ours. Let us work. She doesn’t need to tell us everything; she has done what she has to while in power,” she said.

Rekha Gupta also announced portfolios of her council of ministers.

Rekha Gupta will have portfolios of General Administration, Services, Finance, Revenue, Women and Child Development, Land and Building, Information and Public Relations, Vigilance, Administrative Reforms, Planning and other departments not allocated to any other ministry.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/bjp-started-breaking-its-promises-aap-leader-atishi-criticises-delhi-cm-rekha-gupta-for-not-passing-2500-per-month-scheme

The holy water from the Sangam will be brought to all the jails and mixed with regular water and stored in a small tank within the jail premises. All the prisoners will bathe in the water after prayers, the officials said.

The Uttar Pradesh jail administration is making arrangements to bring holy water from Prayagraj’s Sangam to 75 jails across the state, allowing inmates to participate in the Maha Kumbh. According to the Office of UP Jail Minister Dara Singh Chauhan, the programme will take place in all the jails on February 21, from 9.30 am to 10 am. Over 90,000 inmates are currently lodged in 75 jails, including seven central prisons, across the state, the Prison Department officials said.
Director General (DG) of Prisons PV Ramasastry said that arrangements are being made under the supervision of the jail minister.
The holy water from the Sangam will be brought to all the jails and mixed with regular water and stored in a small tank within the jail premises. All the prisoners will bathe in the water after prayers, the officials said.

Minister Chauhan, along with senior jail officials, is expected to attend a programme at Lucknow jail on February 21.

Gorakhpur District Jail Jailor AK Kushwaha said that the prison administration has sent prison guard Arun Maurya to collect the holy water from Prayagraj’s Sangam
The ‘gangajal’ will be mixed with regular water to ensure inmates can also take part in the Maha Kumbh, he said.
Senior Superintendent at Prayagraj’s Naini Central Jail Rang Bahadur said similar arrangements will be made for inmates on February 21.
Prayagraj District Jail Senior Superintendent Amita Dubey confirmed that around 1,350 prisoners are excited about the ‘snan’ as they will get a chance to take part in the grand event despite their confinement.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/maha-kumbh-how-90000-up-jail-inmates-will-take-holy-dip-with-sangam-water-article-118389285

The BJP has named Rekha Gupta as Delhi’s new Chief Minister. A seasoned BJP leader, Gupta has held key roles in student politics, municipal governance, and party leadership. She will take the oath on February 20.

Rekha Gupta on Thursday took oath as the Chief Minister of Delhi, a day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) named her for the top post in the national capital following the party’s resounding victory in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections. The decision was announced after a party meeting on Wednesday.
Gupta, a senior BJP leader, has played a crucial role in the party’s state and national leadership and is set to take the oath of office on February 20 at 11:00 am along six other ministers.
Gupta contested the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections from the Shalimar Bagh constituency and secured 68,200 votes, defeating AAP’s Bandana Kumari by a margin of 29,595 votes, according to the Election Commission of India.

Powerlifter Yashtika Acharya Dies: Yashtika Acharya was training with her coach when the heavy rod slipped and fell on her.

Yashtika Acharya- a 17-year-old gold-medallist powerlifter, died during training in Rajasthan’s Bikaner district in a tragic accident when a 270-kg weightlifting rod fell on her neck.

The incident happened while she was practicing in the gym, police said, as videos of Yashtika Acharya lifting the rod were widely shared on social media.

As per officials, Yashtika Acharya was training with her coach when the heavy rod slipped and fell on her. The impact was severe and resulted in her neck breaking. Her trainer, who was assisting her during the practice, also suffered minor injuries.

Source: https://www.news18.com/viral/gold-medallist-powerlifter-yashtika-acharya-dies-after-270-kg-rod-slips-and-falls-on-her-neck-video-9233453.html

The names of several locations, including Allahabad and Faizabad, have been changed under Adityanath’s tenure, a move that has often sparked debate.

Amid ongoing criticism over the Maha Kumbh’s organisation, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav took a swipe at Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, targeting the BJP government’s renaming of places in the state.

The names of several locations, including Allahabad and Faizabad, have been changed under Adityanath’s tenure, a move that has often sparked debate.

However, defending the event’s planning, Adityanath said, “Cricketer Mohammed Shami also took bath in the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh. There was no discrimination.”

“Now, will you change the name of a cricketer too?” Akhilesh wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Cricketer Mohammad Kaif took a dip in the Yamuna River in Prayagraj nearly two weeks before the Maha Kumbh began on January 13.

A resident of Prayagraj, Kaif shared a video on X on December 29, 2024, where he was seen jumping into the cold waters from a boat. In his post, he recalled learning to swim in the same river.

The Uttar Pradesh chief minister has been countering criticism from the Opposition over claims that the Maha Kumbh organisers failed to ensure smooth arrangements.

Opposition leaders have pointed to incidents such as stampedes, massive traffic congestion stretching hundreds of kilometres, and concerns over high faecal coliform levels in the water to question the event’s management.

Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday hit back at criticism of the Maha Kumbh, saying that over 56.25 crore devotees had already taken a holy dip in Prayagraj.

Calling allegations and “fake videos” against the event an attack on the faith of millions, he said the Maha Kumbh was not linked to any political party or organisation but belonged to society.

Adityanath added that the event had gained global recognition, overcoming attempts to spread misinformation.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cricketers-name-too-akhilesh-yadav-targets-cm-yogi-adityanath-over-renaming-of-places-101739964802622.html

India is planning to step up oversight of airfares after a sharp spike in prices during the Maha Kumbh Mela (a Hindu religious gathering) was widely criticised, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Civil Aviation Ministry’s Tariff Monitoring Unit (TMU), which tracks average fares, will now also be tasked with keeping tabs on price surges during key events such as the Maha Kumbh Mela, said the people who asked not to be identified citing private discussions.

The TMU will flag fare spikes during key events to the civil aviation regulator, which will consult the airlines and find a solution either through reduction of fares or by adding more flights, the people said. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation will not tolerate price surges of more than 200-250 per cent, one of the people said.

The Aviation Ministry and the DGCA didn’t immediately respond to emailed requests for comment.

The review was triggered by an avalanche of complaints from fliers about inflated pricing by airlines during the more than a month-long Maha Kumbh festival, billed as the largest human gathering ever.

Although there are a dozen domestic carriers operating in the Indian skies, the market is dominated by IndiGo with a 64.4 per cent share and Air India group with 26.5 per cent — a position that gives them a greater say in setting prices.

Airfares to Prayagraj, the site of the religious gathering, saw an immediate reduction of 30 per cent to 50 per cent after the DGCA intervened last month. Airlines added more flights to balance the demand-supply mismatch.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/india-plans-more-airfare-oversight-as-kumbh-mela-costs-stoke-ire-3413653

The Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Odisha has announced a scholarship in memory of Prakriti Lamsal, the 20-year-old Nepalese student of the private engineering institute who died allegedly by suicide at her hostel room on February 16, leading to unrest on the campus.

The announcement was made by KIIT and KISS founder Achyuta Samanta on Wednesday, who met the deceased student’s father and uncle, offering his deepest condolences, according to a statement issued by the institute.

“A scholarship would be instituted in Lamsal’s name as a tribute to her memory,” Samanta said.

Senior officials from Nepal’s New Delhi Embassy also met students from their country on the campus on Wednesday, assuring them that similar incidents would not be repeated.

“KIIT has taken proactive measures to facilitate the return of those who are yet to return,” the statement said.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/odisha/kiit-announces-scholarship-in-memory-of-nepalese-student-prakriti-lamsal-3413649

Outbreaks of acute diarrheal disease surged to the highest on record in 2024, in the latest example of unusual surges of even the most common bacterial and viral ailments across the world.

India recorded over 1,000 outbreaks of acute diarrheal disease across the country as of Dec 22, according to the latest data from the federal health ministry’s surveillance program. This is the highest level since the data was made publicly available in 2009.

The health agency also reported over 300 outbreaks of food poisoning across the country, the highest since 2019. An outbreak is defined as an illness “clearly in excess of expected numbers”, according to the ministry.

While stomach-related disorders are among the most common infectious illnesses in India, the reasons behind this exceptional surge in the outbreaks are a bit of a mystery. It also shows the lurking public health risks linked to contaminated water or food sources in the world’s most-populous country.

There has been a global resurgence of diseases in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, as historical illnesses and newer complications of existing ailments become more common across the world. Factors like climate change, rising social inequality and health-care services contribute in ways hard to measure, adding to the mounting public-health challenge.

An analysis last year by Bloomberg News and disease forecasting firm Airfinity found that 44 governments have reported the resurgence of at least one infectious disease over ten times worse than the pre-pandemic baseline.

“These infections have creeped up” over the past year, according to Amey Sonavane, a gastroenterology consultant at Apollo Hospitals in Navi Mumbai. While diarrhea isn’t deadly for most patients, “there is definitely a rise in severe cases,” he said.

Antibiotic overuse is also leading to higher severity of cases, as it compels pathogens to develop resistance to existing therapies and leads to patients staying sick for longer, Sonavane said.

Diarrhea is an infection caused by a range of bacterial and viral pathogens, according to the World Health Organization. Among the most common viral causes of diarrhea are rotavirus and norovirus, while the most common bacterial pathogens include Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella and Campylobacter.

One of the potential complications of these infections is Guillain Barre Syndrome — a rare neurological disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly starts attacking the peripheral nerves, causing muscle weakness and sometimes, paralysis.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/record-stomach-flu-outbreaks-in-india-show-lurking-health-risks-3411941

Police intercepted a drone camera flying over the Ram temple route here during a trial of an anti-drone system on Tuesday and shot it down, officials said.
Police lodged an FIR stating that it was a deep conspiracy to create chaos at the Ram temple that might kill devotees in large number.
However, police refused to give further details saying a probe is on in the case.

According to sources, the conspirator has been identified and he is from Gurugram, Haryana.

Earlier, officials said a bomb disposal squad conducted a thorough examination of the drone camera and confirmed that there was no security threat. The case has been registered at the Ram Janmabhoomi police station.
The authorities in Ayodhya have activated the anti-drone security mechanism. Flying drones over the Ram temple is strictly prohibited.
“This system can detect any drone within a 2.5-kilometre radius. During the drill, security forces intercepted a drone camera hovering over the Ram Janmabhoomi temple route,” a police official said.
Police have launched an investigation to trace the drone operator, with intelligence agencies maintaining strict vigilance.
Earlier this year, a senior officer in Lucknow told PTI that the Uttar Pradesh Police had used the high-tech and sophistication anti-drone system for the first time during the consecration of Ram Lalla’s idol at the Ram temple here on January 22, 2024.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/deep-conspiracy-at-ayodhyas-ram-mandir-police-shoot-down-drone-near-temple-article-118365786

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to Maratha empire founder Chhatrapati Shivaji on his birth anniversary on Wednesday.

PM Modi said on X, “His valour and visionary leadership laid the foundation for Swarajya, inspiring generations to uphold the values of courage and justice. He inspires us in building a strong, self-reliant and prosperous India.”

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/chhatrapati-shivaji-maharaj-jayanti-pm-narendra-modi-pays-homage-to-chhatrapati-shivaji-on-his-birth-anniversary-7743278

Days after the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk, scrapped a $21 million grant intended to boost “voter turnout” in India, President Donald Trump defended the move and questioned why US taxpayers’ money was used for this initiative.

“Why are we giving $21 million to India? They got a lot more money. They are one of the highest taxing countries in the world in terms of us; we can hardly get in there because their tariffs are so high. I have a lot of respect for India and their Prime Minister, but giving $21 million for voter turnout? In India? What about voter turnout here?” President Trump said at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.

On February 16, DOGE published a list of taxpayer-funded programs that have been cut, including the $21 million allocated for India’s voter turnout. The announcement was made via a post on X, where DOGE laid out a series of foreign assistance programs deemed excessive or unjustifiable.

“US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all of which have been cancelled,” DOGE declared.

Alongside the India voter turnout funds, the list of scrapped funding included a $29 million grant for “strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh” and $39 million for “fiscal federalism” and “biodiversity conservation” in Nepal, among other international fundings.

The ruling BJP termed the now-cancelled funding “external interference” in India’s electoral process.

“$21M for voter turnout? This definitely is external interference in India’s electoral process. Who gains from this? Not the ruling party for sure!” said BJP national spokesperson Amit Malviya in a statement

He went further, linking the initiative to what he called “systematic infiltration” of Indian institutions by foreign entities. Mr Malviya singled out billionaire investor George Soros, who has been accused by right-wing political figures worldwide of influencing domestic politics through his Open Society Foundations.

“Once again, it is George Soros, a known associate of the Congress party and the Gandhis, whose shadow looms over our electoral process,” Mr Malviya claimed.

The BJP has long been wary of foreign-funded NGOs and civil society organisations operating in India. Mr Malviya also flagged a controversial 2012 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Election Commission of India and The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), an organisation linked to Mr Soros’s Open Society Foundation.

According to Mr Malviya, the MoU — signed under the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government — enabled undue foreign influence over India’s electoral system.

“Ironically, those questioning the transparent and inclusive process of appointing India’s Election Commissioner — a first in our democracy, where previously the Prime Minister alone made the decision — had no hesitation in handing over the entire Election Commission of India to foreign operators,” Mr Malviya claimed.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/donald-trump-india-voter-turnout-elon-musk-why-are-we-giving-21-million-to-india-donald-trump-on-doge-cuts-7742802#pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

An Indian immigrant who was recently deported from the United States, detailed how articles of Sikh faith such as the turban were reportedly disrespected and thrown into dustbins in detention centres for the deportees, reported PTI.

Davinder Singh, 21, was among the second batch of 116 illegal Indian immigrants brought back in a US military aircraft on the night of February 15.

Singh was sent to a detention centre after being apprehended for illegally crossing the border into the US. He detailed his traumatic experience at the centre, stating that he saw US officials throwing the turbans of Sikh undocumented immigrants into dustbins.

“It was very painful watching turbans being thrown into a dustbin,” Davinder told PTI.

Singh said that around 60-70 immigrants from different countries were kept in a hall under the constant surveillance of US officials. He, along with some other Sikh immigrants, used to recite ‘Chaupai Sahib’ and ‘Japji Sahib’, holy texts in their religion, to survive their stay.

He said that the immigrants were not provided proper food, and were given only “wafer-thin” blankets to deal with the cold as air conditioners were being run at low temperatures.

“When we would tell them we were feeling cold, they wouldn’t bother at all,” he said. Singh described his 18-day stay at the detention centre as the worst days of his life and termed it as “mentally traumatic”.

Davinder Singh added that they were only given a small packet of chips and a packet of juice five times a day. Besides that, they were given a roll of half-baked bread, half-baked rice, sweet corn, and cucumber. As a vegetarian, Davinder could not eat beef as well.

He also stated that he was only able to take a bath twice during his entire stay.

“I didn’t comb my hair for 18 days. We were wearing the same clothes, which got dirty during the travel, for 18 days,” he added.

Hailing from the village of Nangal Jalalpur in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district, Singh migrated to the US for a better life, undertaking a long journey on June 28 across Amsterdam, Suriname, Guatemala and even through the Panama forest.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/turbans-thrown-into-dustbin-indian-deportee-on-stay-at-us-detention-camps-101739929054308.html

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a special gesture on Monday by arriving at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi to receive the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad AL Thani, at the Palam Technical Airport in the national capital on Monday. The Prime Minister described the Qatar Amir as his ‘brother’ and wished him a fruitful stay in India.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. PM Modi and H.H. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani shared a warm hug as they met each other.
Taking to X, PM Modi said, “Went to the airport to welcome my brother, Amir of Qatar H.H. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. Wishing him a fruitful stay in India and looking forward to our meeting tomorrow.”

The Qatar Amir is on a two-day state visit to India. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including ministers, senior officials and a business delegation. He had earlier come to India on a State Visit in March 2015.

IAS officer Gyanesh Kumar was appointed the new Chief Election Commissioner on Monday. Kumar, who was serving as an Election Commissioner before this announcement, previously worked with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Kumar, a 1988-batch officer from the Kerala cadre, had also served as secretary in various ministries, including Cooperation, Parliamentary Affairs and Defence.

He is the first CEC to be appointed under the new law on the appointment of the members of the Election Commission (EC). His term will run till 26 January 2029, days before the EC is expected to announce the schedule for the next Lok Sabha election.

During his tenure as the 26th CEC, Kumar will oversee the Bihar Assembly polls later this year, and the Kerala and Puducherry Assembly polls in 2026. Similarly, he will oversee the Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, which are also due in 2026.

The announcement by the Union Law Ministry came hours after a meeting to select the new CEC was held in the South Block office of the prime minister where PM Narendra Modi, Shah and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi were present.

However, the vote was not unanimous as Gandhi had voted against Kumar’s appointment. According to sources, when the LoP was shown a list of names as probable candidates for the CEC, he refused to look at it and gave his dissent note, saying the meeting was “meaningless”.

Kumar was one of five candidates suggested by the search panel out of more than 485 people. He was posted as Joint Secretary, Kashmir Division, in the Amit Shah-led Home Ministry when Article 370 was abrogated in August 2019.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/gyanesh-kumar-picked-as-new-chief-election-commissioner-9231013.html

An illustration by a four-year-old girl, whose mother was found dead in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi on Monday, has raised suspicion that the woman was assaulted and murdered by her husband, after years of alleged harassment, the police said.

The incident, which took place at Panchavati Shiv Parivar Colony under Kotwali area of ​​Jhansi, came to light when the 27-year-old woman’s in-laws told her family that she died by suicide. A drawing and a statement of the woman’s daughter, however, suggested that she was killed by her husband, and her body was hanged to make it appear as a suicide.

The woman was identified as Sonali Budholia and her husband, a medical representative, as Sandeep Budholia. Their daughter’s name is Darshita.

“Papa assaulted and killed mummy. He then said ‘die if you want to’. He hanged her body and hit her head with a stone. Later, he brought down the body and dumped it inside a sack,” Darshita, who later lit the pyre, told reporters, as she showed a drawing of the purported assault.

The child also alleged that her father had threatened to kill her mother earlier. “I had told him once that if you touch my mother, I will break your hand. He used to beat her, saying she should die and that I should meet the same fate as her,” she said.

Sonali’s father Sanjeev Tripathi, a resident of Tikamgarh district in Madhya Pradesh, said she and Sandeep got married in 2019 but have since shared a troubled relationship.

“On the wedding day, I gave them Rs 20 lakh in cash as dowry but days later, Sandeep and his family began making new demands. They wanted a car. I told them it is beyond my means to buy them a car. He and his family then started assaulting my daughter. I even approached the police over this once and we had arrived at a compromise,” he said.

The situation, however, worsened after Sonali gave birth to a girl, Sanjeev said. “Sandeep wanted a boy. After the delivery, he and his family left my daughter alone in the hospital. I had to go to the nursing home to complete the payment. I took her home. Sandeep came a month later to receive Sonali and Darshita,” he said.

Sanjeev said recently, Sonali was attending her cousin’s wedding in Jhansi’s Samthar when Sandeep called and asked her to return home.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/papa-killed-mummy-hung-body-uttar-pradesh-jhansi-daughter-drawing-raises-doubt-over-suicide-claim-7733167

Two students have been arrested for performing stunts in luxury SUVs in the middle of the outer ring road in Hyderabad. In CCTV footage from February 9, a Fortuner can be seen doing donuts (going around in circles using the handbrake) in the middle lane of the five-lane road while a BMW drives to the side after doing the same thing.

Police said the drivers of the vehicles had removed the number plates to avoid being identified but their faces could be seen on CCTV cameras. The RGI Airport police tracked down Mohammed Obaidullah (25), a resident of Rajendranagar, and Zohair Siddiqui (25), a resident of Malakpet, and arrested them on Monday. The luxury cars were also seized.

“The students were doing stunts in two different cars on the ORR (Outer Ring Road) Shamshabad. The act was captured on the closed-circuit cameras installed on the ORR stretch. A video of the students performing the stunts has gone viral,” said an official.

Last week, the Managing Director of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation, VC Sajjanar, who is a former additional director of police, shared a video of a boy performing a wheelie on a bike with a girl behind him.

In a post on X, Mr Sajjanar wrote in Telugu, “These are some crazy things done in the name of ‘Valentine’s Day’!! Some couples are releasing such videos on social media, saying that they are doing amazing stunts on the occasion of Valentine’s Day.. as if they have achieved some kind of feat. You may find these strange stunts performed at high speed and in a dangerous manner funny… but imagine what will happen if an accident happens.”

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/shamshabad-orr-donuts-2-students-in-fortuner-bmw-perform-stunts-on-busy-hyderabad-road-arrested-7735442

A third-year B-Tech Nepali student at a private engineering institute here allegedly died by suicide in her hostel, leading to campus tension following which a group of students from the Himalayan kingdom were evicted on Monday.

The deceased, identified as Prakriti Lamsal, was studying at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), the varsity’s registrar said.

As the situation escalated on campus, KIIT authorities allegedly evicted several Nepali students from the hostel and dropped them at Cuttack railway station without making any arrangements for their travel, sources said.

Some students claimed, “We had no food, water, or money to purchase train tickets.” Many students boarded the Puri-Patna Express train in a general compartment, unable to secure reservations.

However, the intervention of Nepal’s Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli offered some relief to the distressed students.

Oli posted on Facebook in Nepali, “It has come to our attention through media and social media that a Nepali student has died in a hostel of KIIT University in Odisha and that Nepali students have been forcibly evicted. The government is working on this matter through diplomatic channels and is in contact with the relevant authorities.”

Following his intervention, KIIT authorities appealed to Nepali students to return to campus.

“An appeal is made to all our Nepali students who plan to leave the campus to return and resume classes,” the university stated.

In a post on X, Oli said, “Our Embassy in New Delhi has dispatched two officers to counsel Nepali students affected in Odisha. Additionally, arrangements have been made to ensure they have the option to either remain in their hostel or return home, based on their preference.”

The incident gained further attention when the deceased’s cousin filed a complaint at Infocity police station in Bhubaneswar, alleging that his sister hanged herself in her hostel room on Sunday.

He claimed that a boy student at the university had been blackmailing his sister, which he believed led to her suicide.

KIIT authorities confirmed that the third-year B-Tech student had died by suicide in her hostel room on Sunday.

“It is suspected that the girl was having an affair with another student at KIIT, and she may have committed suicide for some reason,” the university said, adding that the matter was immediately reported to police.

Bhubaneswar DCP Pinak Mishra said, “We have registered a case at Infocity police station based on the allegation that a male student abetted her suicide. The accused student is in police custody and is being interrogated. Police have seized the mobile phone, laptop, and other gadgets of the deceased woman. We are undertaking a scientific investigation into the matter.”

Police sources mentioned that the accused, a KIIT student, was apprehended at Biju Patnaik International Airport on Sunday while attempting to flee the city.

The news of the Nepali student’s death spread quickly, causing hundreds of students, including those from the neighbouring country, to gather on the campus on Sunday night. They staged a demonstration demanding justice.

As tension mounted at KIIT, the university authorities held discussions with the agitating students. “In view of the situation, Nepali students have been sent to their respective homes. The situation remains calm at present,” the KIIT said in a statement.

Regarding the eviction of Nepali students from the hostel, KIIT clarified, “The administration made extensive efforts, engaging in counseling and discussions for over 10 hours to manage the situation peacefully. However, despite their best attempts, some protestors were unwilling to listen to the university authorities and continued to create disruptions, posing a challenge to law and order. They also blocked the main public road for hours, causing inconvenience and escalating tensions.”

The university further added, “To ensure a smooth and unbiased investigation, Nepali students have been advised to return to their respective places voluntarily with the help of local guardians until the local inquiry is completed. The students are encouraged to return to the campus and will participate in normal academics, which will be restored very soon. Their academic aspects will not be disturbed during this period and will be taken care of by the university.”

As a result, the temporary suspension of academic classes and hostel accommodations was immediately lifted. “This step has been taken purely to maintain peace and ensure that justice is served appropriately,” KIIT authorities said.

To maintain order on the campus, two platoons (each platoon consisting of 30 personnel) of police were deployed. The police also sealed the deceased student’s room and kept her body in the mortuary until her parents arrived.

Students from different states also alleged that they were not allowed to leave the hostel by private security guards.

A video showing a scuffle between male students and security guards went viral on social media, but PTI could not independently verify the video’s authenticity.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/odisha/nepali-b-tech-student-found-dead-in-odisha-hostel-tension-in-institute-pm-oli-intervenes-3408916

The Maharashtra animal husbandry department and police visited a flat in a housing society in Pune following complaints that the owner had kept 300 cats, an official said on Monday.

The flat owner was issued a notice to relocate the cats to an appropriate facility, the Hadapsar police station official said.

“Residents of Marvel Bounty Housing Society in Hadapsar complained that a flat owner was keeping more than 300 cats inside her flat, leading to hygiene issues. There were reports of persistent foul smell and excessive noise caused by the cats,” he said.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/maharashtra/woman-gets-notice-for-keeping-300-cats-in-pune-flat-action-on-residents-complaints-3409764

A court in India has sentenced a 31-year-old man to life in prison for the rape and murder of an Irish backpacker in the western resort state of Goa nearly eight years ago.

The body of 28-year-old Danielle McLaughlin was found by a farmer in March 2017 near Goa’s popular Palolem beach.

An autopsy concluded that her death was caused by brain damage and strangulation.

Police subsequently charged local resident Vikat Bhagat with the crime and he was found guilty on Friday.

Family ‘thankful’ for justice

McLaughlin, who was from Buncrana in Ireland, had been celebrating the Indian festival of Holi in the area the night before she was found dead.

Rape victims usually cannot be named under Indian law however, McLaughlin’s family spoke to the media about her case in an effort to raise awareness.

In a statement cited by local media, they said they were “thankful to everyone involved in our fight for justice.”

“They have treated her like their daughter and have tirelessly fought for her.”

Source : https://www.dw.com/en/india-man-gets-life-for-rape-murder-of-irish-tourist/a-71637350

Eyewitnesses to the stampede at New Delhi railway station described the horrifying scene that unfolded on Sunday, saying people were “pushing and scrambling” for space amid cries for help.

The incident occurred late on Saturday night at the crowded station, as a large crowd rushed to board trains to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh. 18 people died in the stampede.

Speaking to news agency PTI aboard the Magadh Express, which arrived from New Delhi to Patna, eyewitness Prabhash Kumar Raman recalled the chaos.

“Massive crowd at the platform led to chaos, ultimately resulting in the tragic stampede. There was no cooperation from the administration. There was not even a single policeman when the incident took place. People were pushing and scrambling for space amid cries for help,” he told PTI.

One victim shared the tragic news that his mother had died in the stampede. “We were travelling to our home in Chhapra, Bihar, in a group, but my mother died in the chaos. People were pushing each other,” he said.

He added, “The doctor has confirmed to us that my mother has died.” Another family member of a deceased woman collapsed in grief.

The stampede occurred around 9.55 pm, prompting an emergency response from authorities. According to Delhi Fire Services (DFS) chief Atul Garg, authorities dispatched rescue teams and four fire tenders to the scene.

Staircases on platforms 14, 15 were blocked

Hashibur Rehman, another passenger, claimed that the situation at New Delhi railway station worsened due to staircases on platforms 14 and 15 being blocked.

“Initially, some staircases of platforms were closed to manage the crowd. However, due to delays, more passengers were attempting to take the staircases. At the last moment, the closed staircases were opened, which caused congestion and the crowd swelled,” he said.

“People were pushing one another to get on the train or to take the staircase. I saw at least 10-12 bodies lying on the platform… it was horrific,” he added.

He described the crowd as something never seen before.

“I must say that there was nobody from the side of the local administration who was present at the spot… officials arrived almost an hour after the incident,” Rehman claimed.

Delhi Police to scan CCTV footage

Delhi police have launched an investigation into the stampede incident at New Delhi Railway Station, planning to review CCTV footage to understand what caused the chaos. The stampede followed a surge of passengers waiting to board trains to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh, particularly on platforms 14 and 15.

Among the deceased, 14 were women, and five were minors, two of whom were under 10. Nearly 15 people were injured and are currently receiving treatment. Sources, according to PTI, suggest that a mistaken announcement about a platform change may have led to confusion, triggering the stampede.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the deaths in a post on X. “Distressed by the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured have a speedy recovery. The authorities are assisting all those who have been affected by this stampede,” he said.

The deputy commissioner of police (railway) said that platform number 14 was already overcrowded when the Prayagraj Express was waiting for departure. The officer explained that delays in the Swatantra Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani Express meant passengers from these trains were also on platforms 12, 13, and 14.

“As per CMI, every hour 1,500 general tickets were sold by railways, causing the station to become overcrowded and uncontrollable. The stampede occurred at platform no. 14 and near the escalator by platform no. 16,” the DCP said.

Northern Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Himanshu Upadhyay initially said that passengers pushing each other caused injuries, and those affected were taken to hospitals for first aid.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/people-were-pushing-scrambling-eyewitnesses-recall-new-delhi-stampede-horror-101739749896649.html

Bharatiya Janata Party’s legislative party meeting has been postponed from February 17 to most likely on Wednesday (February 19), a party source said. The party will decide on the CM during the meeting. The Central leadership has appointed observers for the meeting. All the 48 elected MLAs of the BJP will be present during the meeting. Oath taking will follow in a day or two after the meeting.

Also read: Three AAP councillors join BJP; triple-engine govt. on way in Delhi, says Sachdeva
Several names are in the race for the position of Delhi CM, with the most prominent being Parvesh Verma. The BJP fielded Mr. Verma against AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi and became a key figure after defeating Mr. Kejriwal. Satish Upadhyay is another strong contender for the CM position. He has served as the Delhi BJP president and was also the president of the Delhi Youth Wing.

Also read: Power struggle within BJP suggests it will change CMs in Delhi like last time: Yadav
The BJP has secured power in the Delhi Assembly, winning 48 seats out of 70. This election was a direct contest between BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). However, AAP could only secure 22 seats this time. Prominent AAP leaders like Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Saurabh Bhardwaj, and Satyendra Jain could not taste victory this time.

The cleaning of river Yamuna began on a four-pronged strategy on Sunday, days ahead of the formation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the national capital.

According to a PTI report, the Raj Niwas officials said that the work on cleaning the river has begun using trash skimmers, weed harvesters, and a dredger.

During his address at the BJP’s victory celebrations on February 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to make every effort for pollution-free Yamuna.

“Maa Yamuna is the source of our spirituality. We bow down to the Yamuna devi who always wishes us well. But these people (AAP) did not pay any attention to Maa Yamuna, and insulted our beliefs. The beliefs of the people of Delhi were crushed under the feet of these people (AAP) and then blatantly accused Haryana,” the prime minister had said.

On Saturday, Delhi lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena met the chief secretary and additional chief secretary (irrigation and flood control) and directed them for taking up Yamuna cleaning work.

Four-pronged strategy to clean Yamuna

According to the PTI report, the four-pronged strategy to clean Yamuna involves removing trash and silt from the river stream and simultaneous cleaning operations in Najafgarh drain, supplementary drain and other major drains, they said.

First, we will send a radar in partnership with NASA to space that will detect any changes on Earth as small as 10 metres across. Then, we will launch a series of uncrewed
Gaganyaan
missions to space, followed by two missions with astronauts. After that, we will send two Chandrayaan missions to the moon to get lunar samples and even land a 350-kg rover there. In addition to all this, we plan to send an orbiter mission to study Venus. By 2035, we will have our own Bharatiya Antariksh Station in space. And finally, by 2040, India will land astronauts on the moon.
Sounds like a lot? Let’s decode India’s big plans for space and how the country and ISRO could create history, with a step-by-step approach starting this year. Let us simplify these ambitious missions for our readers.

NASA is planning to put a man on the moon again, and also on Mars in the coming years. But India is also not far behind. The success of Chandrayaan-3 in 2023, when India became the first country to touch down near the lunar south pole, has acted as a stepping stone for the nation to dream big. But we will get to the moon in just a bit.

First, mark these big dates.

On top of the list is the big mission with NASA, termed NISAR. To be launched very soon, ISRO will send a synthetic aperture radar to space to track all geographical changes on Earth in unprecedented detail like never before. This will be a giant step for mankind, much beyond the capability of existing Earth observation satellites. This is because NISAR will capture subtle changes on Earth with unprecedented resolution and precision, see through dense cloud cover day and night. In fact, it would detect changes as small as 10 metres across, far away from space. Just imagine the impact!

Then, in the first half of this year, India will send an uncrewed mission to a low Earth orbit as part of mission Gaganyaan. Now, it has also been India’s dream to send its astronauts to space. Astronauts are also being trained for this. The process will kick off in the next few months when India sends an uncrewed mission to low Earth orbit. In fact, the expanse of the Gaganyaan mission has increased as India has now decided to send six such uncrewed missions to space before it sends two missions with our astronauts to space by 2028 and lands them safely back on Earth. Gaganyaan has a budget of Rs 20,193 crore.

Now this budget is so big because the Gaganyaan programme is intrinsically linked to another big ambition of India, which is having our version of the International Space Station—the Bharatiya Antariksh Station. The launch and development of the first module of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station is targeted to be completed by 2028—when our astronauts will visit space. The Bharatiya Antariksh Station, once ready and operationalised by 2035, will lay the foundation for launching longer-duration Indian human space missions.

But, in between chasing the stars, let us not forget the moon. India’s ultimate aim is to land our astronauts on the moon by 2040 and create history. The success of Chandrayaan-3 has propelled that dream, and now India will be sending two more Chandrayaan lunar missions to prepare us before the eventual human trip to the moon.

Chandrayaan-4 will be a path-breaking mission in 2028 for lunar sample collection as it will ascend from the moon’s surface, dock and undock in lunar orbit, and transfer the samples from one module to the other. The module will return and perform a re-entry to Earth for sample delivery. This will help ISRO study the lunar samples in greater detail, far more than the limited studies that the lander & rover mission could do in Chandrayaan-3.

Chandrayaan-5 will go a step further by sending a rover of 350 kg in a highly advanced lander module that will go to the south pole of the moon. It is going to be a heavy mission with the rover being designed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and will be deployed onto the lunar surface via a lander designed by ISRO. The advanced scientific instruments on the rover will give new insights into the south pole and take India much closer to landing humans on the moon. Ultimately, all these milestones are expected to translate into India’s first crewed mission to the moon by the year 2040.

In between all this, India also has a dream of sending an orbiter mission to Venus, like the one we sent to Mars—the Mangalyaan in 2014. The Venus mission planned for 2028 will be a big challenge too as the planet is located nearly 64 million kilometres away. But it will help us improve our understanding of the origin and evolutionary processes of Venus, its atmosphere, and its ionosphere.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/nisar-project-with-nasa-lunar-and-venus-missions-indians-on-moon-indias-space-plans-set-to-take-giant-leap-9229032.html

Cyclonic Circulation: Amidst the constantly changing weather across the country, the India Meteorological Department has issued a rain warning for Northeast India. According to the warning, a cyclonic circulation is forming over the Bay of Bengal, due to which there is a possibility of rain in Assam and neighbouring states.

A rain forecast has been issued for the next seven days in the north-eastern states. The Meteorological Department said that a cyclonic wind area is forming in Nagaland and surrounding areas at an altitude of 1.5 km above sea level. Due to this, there is a possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall as well as snowfall in Northeast India during February 15-21.

As the month of February progresses, the temperature is continuously rising across the country. However, there is also a possibility of thunderstorms in many states of the Northeast on February 19. Heavy rain is also expected in Assam and Meghalaya on February 19. Light to moderate rain is expected in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim for the next seven days. On Saturday, Arunachal Pradesh received snowfall and rain, while heavy rain was recorded in other parts.

Possibility Of Rain In Parts Of North India

The Meteorological Department said that a new western disturbance is developing in the mountains. Due to its effect, there is a possibility of sporadic to light rain and snowfall in Himachal Pradesh. The same situation will prevail in Uttarakhand on February 19-20.

Heavy rain is expected in Rajasthan from February 17 to 19 and in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh from February 19-20. It rained in some parts of Punjab on Saturday, which brought smiles to the faces of the farmers of the Rabi crop.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/cyclonic-circulation-over-bay-of-bengal-imd-warns-of-heavy-rain-in-13-states-ws-ab-9229868.html

The Indian Army opened a retaliatory firing at the Pakistani troops across the Line of Control (LoC) on Sunday. The incident took place around 11 AM in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
The incident took place around 11 AM in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
“At about 11 AM today, Pakistan troops opened small arms fire on own (Indian) post across LoC in Poonch Sector, J&K. The fire was retaliated appropriately by the Indian Army. No casualties to own side,” the Army officials told ANI.

Terrorists on February 8 fired at a petrol from a forested area across LoC in Keri sector of Rajouri, prompting a retaliatory response from Indian soldiers.

During the intervening night of February 4 and 5, a landmine explosion in the Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district resulted in casualties among terrorists attempting to cross the LoC. However, there was no official confirmation on the number of fatalities. Between May and December last year, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a surge in terrorist attacks, leading to intensified counteroffensives by security forces.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/indian-army-strikes-back-after-cross-border-firing-by-pakistani-troops-along-loc-in-jks-poonch-article-118306573

Reliance Industries, India’s most valuable company, faced a significant market downturn, in line with broader market weakness. Over the past five trading days (Monday to Friday last week), RIL’s valuation shrank by Rs 67,526.54 crore, reflecting investor concerns amid ongoing economic uncertainties.

Stock Performance: A Tough Week for Reliance

• Stock price closed at Rs 1,214.75 on Friday.
• Market cap dropped to Rs 16,46,822.12 crore.
• Despite the losses, Reliance remains the most valued Indian company, ahead of TCS, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank.

What’s Driving Reliance’s Decline?

The senior conservation assistant from the Archaeological Survey of India at the Taj Mahal confirmed that Rishi Sunak and his family enjoyed their visit.

Agra: Former British prime minister Rishi Sunak visited the Taj Mahal on Saturday along with his daughters, wife and mother-in-law Sudha Murty. The family spent around one and a half hours at the iconic monument. Sunak is on a two-day visit to Agra.

The senior conservation assistant from the Archaeological Survey of India at the Taj Mahal confirmed that Rishi Sunak and his family enjoyed their visit.

Both Sunak and his wife left a personal note of appreciation in the visitor’s book.

ACP, Taj Security, Areeb Ahmed said, “Rishi Sunak and his family were provided top-tier security throughout their visit. The Taj Mahal was shown to them under strict security measures, in collaboration with the CISF.”

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/former-british-pm-rishi-sunak-visits-taj-mahal-with-family-3407716

The plane – a C-17 military aircraft – landed at the Amritsar International Airport close to 11:40 pm on Saturday.

A plane carrying 119 Indians arrived from the United States at Punjab’s Amritsar airport on Saturday, the second such arrival in a span of 10 days, as part of the Donald Trump administration’s crackdown and decision to deport illegal immigrants.

The first round of deportation had taken place on February 5, when a US military plane transported 104 Indians to Amritsar. A third plane with 157 deportees is expected to land in India on Sunday.

The C-17 Globemaster aircraft of the US Air Force landed at the Amritsar International Airport close to 11:40 pm on Saturday.

Of the total deportees, 67 are from Punjab, 33 are from Haryana, eight from Gujarat, three from Uttar Pradesh, two each from Goa, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, and one each from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. The families of some of them reached the airport to receive them.

Earlier, those deported were from Haryana (33), Gujarat (33), Punjab (30), Maharashtra (3) Uttar Pradesh (3), and Chandigarh (2). They were sent back on the same military aircraft that took off from San Antonio, Texas.

The deportees were shackled and restrained throughout the flight, only to be freed upon arrival in India – a move that triggered a political storm in India, and led to an uproar in both Houses of Parliament during the then ongoing Budget session.

Amid criticism, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the Centre is engaging with the US to ensure the deportees are not mistreated. He also said the US’ deportation of illegal migrants is not a new development and has been going on for years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in the US earlier this week, said India will take back any of its citizens living illegally in the US. He, however, emphasised that efforts need to be made to end human trafficking.

“Our bigger fight is against that entire ecosystem, and we are confident that President Trump will fully cooperate with India in finishing this ecosystem,” he said.

In its defense, the US Embassy in India said “enforcing our nation’s immigration laws is critically important to the national security and public safety of the United States”. “It is the policy of the United States to faithfully execute the immigration laws against all inadmissible and removable aliens,” an embassy spokesperson said.

India is the third source of undocumented immigrants in the US after Mexico and El Salvador.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/us-military-plane-carrying-2nd-batch-of-indian-immigrants-lands-in-amritsar-7719655

Kashi, T.N. share emotional and creative bond, says U.P. CM; notes that this Sangamam coincides with Maha Kumbh, is the first after the Ram Temple was built; theme of 4S: saints, scientists, students, social reformers

Inaugurating the third edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam in Varanasi on Saturday (February 15, 2025), Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the unique event signifies India’s cultural foundations, noting that Kashi and Tamil Nadu share an emotional and creative bond since time immemorial.

The Sangamam is inspired and guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat (One India, Excellent India)’, the U.P. Chief Minister said.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kashi-tamil-sangamam-embodies-the-heritage-of-ek-bharat-shrestha-bharat-yogi-adityanath/article69223883.ece

The council observed that the accused — 3 of them from third-year and 2 second-year students — are unfit to enrol as nursing students in the state in the future

The Kerala Nurses and Midwives Council (KNMC) on Saturday decided to bar the five senior students, who have been arrested for brutal torture and ragging of first-year students at the Government Nursing College in Kottayam, from continuing their studies and enrolling in the nursing programme in the southern state in future. Meanwhile, police said more students have come forward with allegations of ragging on them at the college hostel.

The council observed that the accused — three of them from third-year and two second-year students — are unfit to enrol as nursing students in the southern state in the future, saying it has conveyed its decision to the health department.

“What happened in Kottayam nursing college was extremely heinous. It cannot be justified at any cost. Such accused students must never enter the nursing field in future. It will be a tragedy for the field if such people come in. It’s a service field where humanity and empathy accounts for a lot,” a KNMC official said, requesting anonymity.

The council said names of the accused will be removed from its registry and directed the college authorities to file a report on the incident as well as furnish details of a similar ragging incident two years ago.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kerala-nurse-body-bars-5-students-over-ragging-principal-hostel-in-charge-suspended-101739646202604.html

The incident happened around 10 pm when thousands of devotees were heading to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh 2025 festival, causing severe overcrowding at the station.

A compensation of Rs 10 lakh by the Indian Railways was announced to the families of the deceased who lost their lives in the stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station, as per a release.

Additionally, a compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh has been announced to the seriously injured and Rs 1 lakh to those with minor injuries, as per the release.

Geeta, a worker at the LNJP hospital, where the victims were admitted said that 15 bodies and 10 to 12 injured people were brought to the hospital at 10 p.m.

She further said that there were three children who also died in the incident.

“There were around 15 dead bodies and 10 to 12 injured people who were brought to the LNJP hospital between 10 to 10:30 p.m. yesterday. There were three children among the dead…” said Geeta while speaking to ANI.

This comes after a tragic stampede took place at the New Delhi Railway Station, resulting in the loss of 18 lives on Saturday.

The incident happened around 10 pm when thousands of devotees were heading to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh 2025 festival, causing severe overcrowding at the station.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Railway, KPS Malhotra, the incident occurred when a large number of passengers gathered on platform no. 14, where the Prayagraj Express was stationed. Additionally, delays in the departures of the Swatantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneswar Rajdhani led to further congestion at platforms 12, 13, and 14.

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/new-delhi-railway-station-stampede-indian-railways-announces-compensation-of-10-lakh-to-families-of-deceased

“When I was growing up, everyone in my village would say: ‘She is blind, she is a waste’,” says Rakshitha Raju. Now, aged 24, she is one of India’s top middle distance para athletes. “It makes me so proud,” she says.

Rakshitha was born blind in a remote village in southern India and had lost both her parents by the age of 10. She was raised by her grandmother who is hearing and speech impaired.

“Both of us are disabled, so my grandma understood me,” she says.

When Rakshitha was about 13, the sports teacher at her school took her aside and told her she had the potential to be a great athlete.

“I wondered: ‘How? I am blind, so how do I run on a track I can’t see?'” she recalls.

Her teacher explained that visually impaired runners can have a guide, who runs alongside them. The athletes are joined by a tether – a short strap with a loop on both ends for each of them to hold on to.

For a while, other pupils acted as guide runners for Rakshitha. Then in 2016, when she was 15, she competed in the National Games, where a man called Rahul Balakrishna spotted her.

A middle-distance runner, Rahul had previously competed in the 1500m himself. He had been introduced to para athletics by a coach at the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) a few years earlier, while recovering from an injury.

There was a shortage of guides and coaches and Rahul decided to take on both roles. The government pays him a salary for the coaching side of his work, but it does not pay guide runners.

However, if a visually impaired runner wins an international competition, their guide also gets a medal – something Rahul had not achieved in his own running career. “I felt proud that I could do this for myself and my country,” he says.

He invested his own time and money to support Rakshitha, helping her move to Bangalore in 2018 so she could have access to better training facilities.

When they are running “it’s the small things that matter”, says Rahul. “When they are approaching a curve, the guide has to alert the athlete or when a competitor is overtaking, he has to tell the athlete so they can put in a little more effort.”

Competition rules mean they can’t hold hands – they can only be connected by the tether, and the guide-runner is not allowed to push, pull or otherwise propel the visually impaired athlete.

Over time, the pair have built up a strong bond and now “I believe in my guide runner more than myself”, says Rakshitha.

They won gold medals at the 2018 and 2023 Asian Games, returning to a resounding welcome in Rakshitha’s village. She smiles as she describes how the people who used to taunt her organised a procession for her, cheering and waving flags.

Rakshitha became the first blind Indian woman to qualify for the 1500m in the Paralympics and she competed with Rahul in Paris in 2024.

They missed out on a medal in France, but India’s only other visually impaired female athlete to qualify for Paris, sprinter Simran Sharma, did make it to the podium, bringing home a bronze.

Simran is partially sighted and when she started running, she ran alone.

But in 2021, when Simran competed in the Tokyo Paralympics, she strayed out of her lane and realised that she would need a guide if she wanted to carry on running.

But the search proved challenging. “It can’t be any athlete. You need someone whose technique matches yours and who runs as fast as you do,” she explains.

“Neither of us knew the rules properly,” says Simran. Abhay “thought he had to stop to let me cross the line first, so he stopped completely”. They were disqualified as he should have kept going and crossed the line just behind her.

But by the time they got to the 200m race, they knew what they were doing and struck gold. Simran became the World Champion in the T12 category.

Riding on that high, they went to the Paralympics in Paris. They came fourth in the 100m, but won bronze in the 200m race and Simran became the first Indian woman with a visual impairment to win a Paralympic medal.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgezm9per7o

There is an estimated 2.3% chance that the 2024 YR4 asteroid is heading our way. Here’s everything you need to know about the space rock – including how much damage it could actually cause.

Could a huge asteroid hit Earth?This is not a drill. There is a chance – albeit a small one – that an asteroid could hit planet Earth within the next decade.

The 2024 YR4 asteroid set off automated asteroid warning systems after it was spotted through advanced telescopes in Rio Hurtado, Chile, last December.

Since then, the asteroid has jumped to the top of the risk list – a catalogue of all space objects which could possibly clash with our planet.

It’s far from panic stations – but experts say the probability of an impact with Earth has almost doubled from 1.2% in January to about 2.3% now.

But how much do we know about the asteroid, and when will we know for sure if we’re safe? Plus: what could happen if it really is heading our way?

When could it hit – and where?

If there is impact, it’s estimated to be at 2.02pm on 22 December 2032 – though the precise time is prone to change, as is the exact probability of its collision with Earth.

NASA says the asteroid would likely hit somewhere across the eastern Pacific Ocean, northern South America, the Atlantic Ocean, Africa, the Arabian Sea, or South Asia.

What we know about the asteroid

2024 YR4 is estimated to be between 40m to 90m wide – or 130ft to 300ft.

It’s made of a rocky substance rather than more robust materials like iron, which is significant because it means it could break into smaller pieces if it enters Earth’s atmosphere, says Doctor Luca Conversi, who is the manager of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Near-Earth Object Coordination Centre (NEOCC), which is heavily involved in monitoring 2024 YR4.

The asteroid is currently at level three on the Torino Impact Hazard Scale, which is a system used to determine how big a threat an asteroid or comet is to planet Earth.

Level 3 is defined as a “close encounter meriting attention by astronomers”, because it has a 1% or greater chance of collision capable of localised destruction.

The Torino Scale is the reason we know about the asteroid, because level 3 determines that the public and public officials should be notified when the encounter is less than a decade away.

For context: level 0 is when there is no chance or almost no chance of collision, and level 10 is reserved for when a collision capable of causing global catastrophe is certain.

Size matters – here’s why

There is a big difference between an asteroid that’s 40m wide or 90m wide – but experts aren’t yet sure how big this one is.

Determining its rough size was important, because it is the size which reveals how big a threat we might be facing.

Earth is bombarded with more than 100 tons of dust and sand-sized particles every day, according to NASA – but they are small enough that they typically burn up in the atmosphere before they can cause any damage.

This means an asteroid or comet can have a 100% chance of reaching Earth but still be a 0 on the Torino Scale because its size doesn’t pose a threat.

But 2024 YR4 is a level 3 threat because it is definitely larger than the 20m (65ft) threshold.

Its rough size has been estimated through the use of powerful telescopes, which are being used mainly to determine its orbit and whether it could be on course for Earth.

But those telescopes only allow astronomers to study the asteroid via the visible light it reflects from the sun.

The general rule is that the brighter an asteroid is, the larger it is, but it all depends on how reflective the asteroid is. 2024 YR4 could be 40m across and very reflective, or 90m across and not very reflective, the ESA says.

Without knowing its exact size, experts can’t determine how significant the impact could be.

That’s where NASA’s powerful James Webb Space Telescope comes in.

The device, which has previously been used to capture unprecedented pictures of stars being born and dying, is now studying the asteroid using infrared light – or heat – which will lead to a better estimate of its size.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/city-killer-asteroid-could-hit-earth-where-it-could-it-land-and-the-damage-it-may-cause-13307919

A spurned lover in Andhra Pradesh attacked his girlfriend with acid and a knife on Valentine’s Day. The 22-year-old woman, Gautami has been shifted to a hospital for treatment.

Hyderabad: A spurned lover in Andhra Pradesh attacked his girlfriend with acid and a knife on Valentine’s Day.

The 22-year-old woman, Gautami has been shifted to a hospital for treatment.

24-year-old man named Ganesh hailing from Madanapalle was in a relationship with Gautami from Perampalli village.

However, Gautami recently got engaged to another person with the wedding scheduled to take place in April.

According to Annamayya district police, she had informed Ganesh that it won’t be possible to continue their relationship and invited him to her home on Friday to clear the air.

Gautami’s parents were away at the farm field at the time of the incident.

When Ganesh arrived at her house, he came carrying a bottle of bathroom cleaning acid along with a knife.

While they were talking, Ganesh poured acid on her face and stabbed her with a knife.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/andhra-pradesh/andhra-pradesh-horror-man-throws-acid-at-his-girlfriend-stabs-her-with-knife-3406501

n a tragic incident, at least 10 pilgrims travelling to Maha Kumbh died after their the car collided with a bus in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj on Friday night, claimed media reports.

In a tragic incident, at least 10 pilgrims travelling to Maha Kumbh died after their the car collided with a bus in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj on Friday night, claimed media reports. The devotees were reportedly travelling from Chhattisgarh. Several people were also injured in the accident.

The accident took place on the Prayagraj-Mirzapur on the Prayagraj-Mirzapur highway under PS Meja around midnight on Friday night, DCP Yamunanagar, Vivek Chandra Yadav told news agency ANI.

Graphic Visuals (Viewers Discretion Required):

After receiving the information, authorities rushed to the spot. A rescue operation was then launched. The injured were shifted to nearby hospital.

As per the DCP, the bodies have been taken to Swaroop Rani Medical Hospital for postmortem. The reason for the accident is not yet known.

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/at-least-10-devotees-dead-several-injured-after-their-car-collides-with-bus-on-way-to-maha-kumbh-in-ups-prayagraj

He made the statements while speaking during a panel discussion on ‘Live to Vote Another Day: Fortifying Democratic Resilience’. Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, US Senator Elissa Slotkin and Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowsk were also on the panel. Senator Slotkin, who on the panel said that democracy “doesn’t put food on your table”.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, speaking at the Munich Security Conference, showed his index finger when asked if democracy is in trouble worldwide. Jaishankar said that he differs in the view that democracy is in trouble globally and highlighted India’s democracy.
Jaishankar took a dig at the West and said it treated democracy as a Western characteristic. “The message is that somehow democracy is in trouble globally, and I will have to disagree with it. We are voting well, we are optimistic about democracy and for us, democracy has actually delivered,” said Jaishankar.
Sharing images from the event on X, Dr Jaishankar said that he “Highlighted India as a democracy that delivers.” “Differed with the prevailing political pessimism. Spoke my mind on foreign interference.” he added.

“The mark on my index finger is a mark of a person who just voted. We just had an election in my state. Last year, we had a national election. In Indian elections, 2/3rd of national voters vote. We count the votes in a single day and nobody disputes the results after it is announced. Today, in the modern era, 20 per cent more voters vote than they did decades ago,” he added.

He made the statements while speaking during a panel discussion on ‘Live to Vote Another Day: Fortifying Democratic Resilience’. Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, US Senator Elissa Slotkin and Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowsk were also on the panel. Senator Slotkin, who on the panel said that democracy “doesn’t put food on your table”.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/democracy-in-danger-worldwide-jaishankar-responds-shows-his-index-finger-watch-article-118266625

The second flight of Indian deportees from the US is reportedly expected to arrive in Amritsar between 10 pm and 11 pm on Saturday.

In the second round of deportations as part of US President Donald Trump’s crackdown on immigration, 119 illegal Indian immigrants are set to land at Punjab’s Amritsar International Airport in an American military aircraft on Saturday.

The C-17 US military aircraft will carry 67 persons from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, eight from Gujarat, three Uttar Pradesh natives, two each from Rajasthan and Maharashtra, and one each native of Goa, Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh.

Saturday’s flight is expected to arrive at the Amristar airport around 10 pm.

The deportations will continue every other week till all the illegal immigrants are not sent back to their respective homeland, a news agency PTI report said.

Last week, 104 illegal Indian migrants were deported from the US. They were sent in a US military C-17 transport aircraft to Amritsar.

PM Modi on illegal migration, human trafficking
The deportations also come in the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the US, where he met Trump to discuss several key bilateral issues, including immigration.

Addressing a joint press conference, PM Modi affirmed that New Delhi is ready to take back its citizens living illegally in America. He said most of those staying in the US illegally come from ordinary families, often misguided by human traffickers.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/second-flight-of-119-indian-illegal-immigrants-from-us-arrive-in-amritsar-today-february-15-101739582916039.html

President Donald Trump greeted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House with a bear hug on Thursday and called him “a great friend of mine,” but nonetheless warned that India won’t be spared from higher tariffs he’s begun imposing on U.S. trade partners around the world.

Trump, who had previously derided India as the “tariff king,” called the import levies imposed by Modi’s country “very unfair and strong.”

“Whatever India charges, we charge them,” Trump said at a joint news conference where he stood next to Modi. “So, frankly, it no longer matters to us that much what they charge.”

As he has while recently hosting other foreign leaders, Trump talked about ensuring that the U.S. erases its trade deficit with India. He suggested that could be done by increasing U.S. energy exports to India but also promised to restore “fairness and reciprocity” to the economic relationship and said he and Modi had begun working on a major trade deal that could be completed later this year.

The U.S. and India have a trade deficit of $50 billion in India’s favor. The Indo-U.S. goods and services trade totaled around $190.1 billion in 2023. According to India’s External Affairs Ministry, the U.S. exports to India were worth nearly $70 billion and imports $120 billion.

Modi, meanwhile, continued his personal trend of heaping praise on Trump. The prime minister said that he’s determined to “Make India Great Again,” or “MIGA” — a play on the president’s “MAGA” or “Make America Great Again” catchphrase and movement.

Trump also said he’d back extraditing one of the plotters of the 2008 Mumbai attacks — appearing to referencing Tahawwur Hussain Rana, who was convicted in 2011 in the U.S. for plotting an attack on a Danish newspaper.

“He’s going to be going back to India to face justice,” Trump said. The president later added, “We’re giving him back to India immediately” and that more such extraditions could be coming.

Trump also said the U.S. would soon increase military sales to India by “many millions of dollars,” paving the way to ultimately provide India with the F-35 stealth fighter planes — something the country has long sought.

Before Modi’s White House arrival, Trump signed an order to increase tariffs to match the tax rates that other countries charge on imports, which affects American trading partners around the world — including India.

Modi had been looking to avoid additional U.S. tariffs and to improve relations with Washington and the West overall, which have been frosty lately after Modi refused to condemn Russia for its war on Ukraine.

“The world had this thinking that India somehow is a neutral country in this whole process,” Modi said, praising Trump for having phone calls with Russia and Ukraine’s leaders on Wednesday. “But this is not true. India has a side, and that side is of peace.”

Trump previously imposed tariffs on China, and says more are coming against the European Union — while threatening similar against Canada and Mexico. He also expanded tariffs on steel and aluminum he initially imposed during his first term.

The White House insists that in signing Thursday’s round of what Trump called “reciprocal” tariffs, he is leveling the playing field between U.S. manufacturers and foreign competitors. These new taxes would likely be paid by American consumers and businesses either directly or in the form of higher prices, though.

Even before Modi arrived, New Delhi showed a willingness to buy more American oil and lower its tariffs on U.S. goods. That included levies on some Harley-Davidson motorcycles going from 50% to 40%. Also, India in 2023 dropped retaliatory tariffs on U.S. almonds, apples, chickpeas, lentils and walnuts.

Tariffs aside, Trump has used the opening weeks of his second term to say he’ll stamp out U.S. trade deficits around the world, including during his meetings at the White House last week with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

Modi is the fourth foreign leader to visit Trump since his inauguration last month, following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ishiba of Japan and Jordan’s King Abdullah II.

Source: https://apnews.com/article/trump-india-modi-visit-washington-tariffs-83d5f6af65f923dc4feb3f38338c888d

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declined to say if he discussed billionaire Gautam Adani’s legal challenges in the US during his meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House.

“Firstly, India is a democratic country, and our culture and our thought philosophy is, ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,’ which basically means that the entire world is a family,” Modi said in a translated response at a joint news conference with Trump on Thursday that highlighted ties between the two nations. “Every Indian is my own family member. And when it comes to such personal matters, two leaders of two countries will not get together on the topic and discuss anything on an individual matter.”

The American president made no mention of the case.

US prosecutors have charged Adani, Asia’s second-richest man, of allegedly helping arrange bribes of more than $250 million to officials in India and defraud US investors. In a five-count indictment unsealed on Nov. 20, prosecutors alleged that Adani was part of a scheme to “corruptly offer, authorize, promise to pay and to pay bribes” of hundreds of millions of dollars to government officials in India. The Adani Group has denied the allegations.

To get Adani — India’s most powerful businessman and a close ally of Modi — to appear in an American courtroom, the US would likely have to pursue extradition.

In the months since the US brought the criminal as well as civil charges against Adani, court dockets have gone quiet. Adani has been building a political influence operation in the US spanning white shoe law firms and lobbyists, looking to simultaneously deal with the legal cases and expand his business, according to people with knowledge of the effort.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/modi-says-personal-matters-like-adani-not-discussed-with-trump-3405629

A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan posted in Manipur shot and killed two colleagues, injured eight others and later died by suicide on Thursday, police said.

The incident took place around 8 pm at the CRPF camp in Lamsang in Imphal West district.

The jawan belonged to the F-120 company of the central para-military force, officials informed.

“In an unfortunate incident, tonight at around 8 pm, a suspected case of fratricide happened inside a CRPF camp in Lamsang under Imphal West District wherein one CRPF jawan opened fire killing two of his own colleagues on the spot and injuring eight others,” Manipur Police said in a statement.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/manipur-crpf-jawan-kills-2-colleagues-injures-8-others-takes-own-life-101739465511241.html 

Three elderly persons died amidst a stampede caused as a result of two elephants getting agitated following the bursting of crackers during a festival at the Manakulangara Temple near Koyilandy here on Thursday evening, police said.

The elephants were brought for the temple festival and they became agitated and ran towards a small building near the shrine, police said.

When the elephants hit the building, a portion of its wall collapsed, leading to some people getting trapped underneath it, police said.

It further said that according to information it has received so far, the collapse of the wall resulted in the death of the two women and a man.

“People also panicked which resulted in a stampede leading to around 20 persons suffering minor injuries,” an officer of Koyilandy police station said.

The incident occurred around 6 pm, he said.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled the deaths and said it was a tragic incident.

Following the incident, state Forest Minister A K Saseendran sought an urgent report regarding the incident from the District Collector and the Chief Forest Conservator (Social Forestry) of the Northern Region.

The minister said that further action will be taken based on the report and that it will also be investigated whether there has been a violation of the Kerala Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance) Rules, according to a government statement.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/3-elderly-die-in-stampede-created-by-elephant-attack-at-kerala-temple-7704974

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing welcome from members of the Indian-American diaspora when he reached Blair House, the President’s Guest House.

Prime Minister Modi arrived in the US on Wednesday where he will meet President Donald Trump on Thursday for his bilateral meeting after last month’s inauguration ceremony.

As he reached Blair House, the President’s Guest House, where he will be staying he was accorded a rousing welcome by members of the Indian-American diaspora. Braving freezing temperatures and rain, the community members gathered at Blair House and welcomed him with ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’, ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Modi Modi’ as they waved the Indian and American flags.

“A warm reception in the winter chill! Despite the cold weather, the Indian diaspora in Washington DC has welcomed me with a very special welcome. My gratitude to them,” Modi said on X.

Prime Minister Modi is the fourth foreign leader hosted by Trump in the weeks after his inauguration last month.

Within less than a month of the start of Trump’s second term in the White House, he has hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Jordan’s King Abdullah II.

Source : https://www.ptinews.com/stories-detail/international/Prime-Minister-Modi-arrives-in-Washington-to-rousing-welcome-by-Indian-diaspora/2290350/1

India ranked 96 out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2024 as its overall score dropped a point to 38, according to a Transparency International report released on Tuesday.

The index, which ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption according to experts and business people, uses a scale of zero to 100, where “zero” is highly corrupt and “100” is very clean.

In 2024, India’s overall score was 38 while it was 39 in 2023 and 40 in 2022. India’s rank in 2023 was 93.

Among India’s neighbours, Pakistan (135) and Sri Lanka (121) grappled with their respective low rankings, while Bangladesh’s ranking stood further down at 149. China ranked 76.

Denmark topped the list of being the least-corrupt nation, followed by Finland and Singapore.

The 2024 CPI showed that corruption is a dangerous problem in every part of the world, but a change for the better is happening in many countries.

Research has also revealed that corruption is a major threat to climate action. It hinders progress in reducing emissions and adapting to the unavoidable effects of global heating.

While 32 countries have significantly reduced their corruption levels since 2012, there is still a huge amount of work to be done as 148 countries have stayed stagnant or gotten worse during the same period.

The global average of 43 has also stood still for years, while more than two-thirds of countries have scored below 50. Billions of people live in countries where corruption destroys lives and undermines human rights.

“Huge numbers of people around the world suffer severe consequences of global heating, as funds intended to help countries cut greenhouse gas emissions and protect vulnerable populations are stolen or misused. At the same time, corruption in the form of undue influence obstructs policies aimed at addressing the climate crisis and leads to environmental damage,” the report said.

Protecting climate mitigation and adaptation efforts from corruption will make these life-saving activities more effective and, in turn, benefit people in need, it added.

Many countries with high CPI scores have the resources and power to drive corruption-resistant climate action around the world but instead, they often serve the interests of fossil-fuel companies, the report said.

“Some of these countries are also home to financial hubs that attract illicit funds stemming from corruption, environmental destruction and other crime. While the CPI does not measure this, dirty money poses a major corruption problem with harmful effects that reach far beyond these countries’ borders,” it said.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/india-ranks-96-out-of-180-countries-in-corruption-perceptions-index-2024-3403466

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday said that Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms are dangerous tools irrespective of who possesses them and it is immaterial whether such tools are in American or Chinese hands.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela made the observation while asking a counsel representing the Union government to seek instructions to respond to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking to block access of Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek.

The Bench passed the order after the counsel for Union of India said the matter requires consideration.

“AI is a dangerous tool in anybody’s hands, whether it is Chinese or American; doesn’t make a difference. It is not that government is unaware of these things, they are very well aware…,” Justice Gedela remarked

The PIL against DeepSeek alleged that concerns have been raised with regard to privacy and security of the platform since its launch.

The petitioner also sought directions to create awareness about privacy and security concerns surrounding DeepSeek. It further sought directions to frame guidelines to block access to such AI tools.

The Court at the outset asked about the statutory mechanism for blocking such websites.

The counsel representing the Union government submitted that the issue is under consideration. The Court then said it would dispose of the petition.

However, since the counsel could not clarify whether the matter is already under consideration or is going to be considered by the government, the Court adjourned the matter to enable the government counsel to obtain complete instructions.

When the counsel representing the petitioner said that the issue pertains to a direct infringement of the right to privacy, Justice Gedela said,

“You are in dark web 97%. What are you saying? You are next generation youngsters. You know more about it than us. You think this data, any data is safe? Are you aware of dark web. Are you aware that 97% of the iceberg is tilted around. Are you aware of that? So therefore they are saying consideration … we are giving them an opportunity, please wait.”

The Court then listed the matter for hearing on February 20.

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/ai-dangerous-tool-whether-in-chinese-american-hands-delhi-high-court-pil-deepseek

A ceasefire violation by the Pakistani Army was reported along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district Wednesday evening. According to initial reports, Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing, prompting the Indian Army to give a befitting response. There have been no immediate reports of casualties or damage on the Indian side.
The ceasefire violation comes about a month after Pakistan politician Anwaar ul-Haq called for a jihad against India. He announced that his government would mobilise all available resources to expel Indian forces from Jammu and Kashmir.
His remarks drew widespread condemnation, with critics decrying them as a serious threat to the prospect of peace between the two nations. Haq made this statement during a rally on January 5 in Muzaffarabad, marking Right to Self-Determination Day, which was further amplified by chants of “Al-Jihad, Al-Jihad,” signaling a significant escalation in Pakistan’s political discourse.

Jihad refers to Muslims’ efforts to follow the teachings of Islam, as well as to fight in defence of the religion or against perceived enemies of Islam.

India has consistently maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country, and any attempts to disrupt peace in the region will be met with firm resolve.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/pakistani-army-violates-ceasefire-along-poonch-loc-indian-army-retaliates-article-118181223

An 18-year-old Class 12 student allegedly died by suicide in Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur after an unsuccessful attempt in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2025.

The incident took place on Wednesday afternoon, a day after the results of the JEE Mains, which is a competitive exam for admission into the engineering colleges, were declared on Tuesday.

The student was identified as Aditi Mishra who hailed from Mishraulia village in the Sant Kabir Nagar district and studied at a private coaching institute in Gorakhpur.

Student’s Suicide Note For Parents

She left a heartbreaking note to her parents, apologising for the low marks in the exam and for her inability to “fulfill” their dreams, India Today reported.

“Sorry, mummy and papa. Please forgive me. I couldn’t make it. Our journey together ends here. Don’t cry. You both gave me immense love. I couldn’t fulfill your dreams. You guys please take care of Choti. She will definitely fulfill your dreams. Your beloved daughter – Aditi,” the suicide note read.

She was a student at Momentum Coaching Center in the city and was “devastated” due to her low score in the exam. She took the extreme step and hanged herself after she was unable to cope with her disappointment.

What Did The Family Say?

The student had returned to the hostel just two days ago and used to share a room with another girl at the Satyadeep Girls Hostel, according to reports.

She also spoke to her father on Wednesday and got her mobile number recharged. During her conversation with him, she asked him not to tell anybody about her results.

Remembering their last conversation, the father said that he had encouraged her to prepare for the next attempt and had never imagined that she would take the extreme step, India Today reported.

She took the step when her roommate had gone outside.

The incident came to the fore when her fellow students informed the hostel warden that the doors of her room were not unlocked for a long time on Wednesday.

The hostel authorities informed the police and opened the door with their help. They found the student hanging from a noose made out of a stole. The police also found a suicide note in the room.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/sorry-couldnt-fulfill-your-dreams-jee-aspirant-dies-by-suicide-up-gorakhpur-note-to-parents-after-failed-attempt-9225586.html

The BJP’s ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) that has expanded significantly in the last two decades is moving back to its old address in Delhi as its rebuilding project is nearly done. Some interior work is still going on.

Spread over 3.75 acres, the RSS office houses three 12-storey towers and some 300 rooms. The new office will be used to hold RSS events and provide lodging to RSS workers and leaders.

Ancient and modern techniques have been used in the construction that began in 2018. The main auditorium honours the memory of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Ashok Singhal, who was one of the main proponents of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

The three towers – ground floor plus 12 floors – are named Sadhna, Prerna and Archna. The name of the building will remain Keshav Kunj.

The building has a massive solar power facility; its library has 8,500 books and is open to researchers. There’s also a clinic with a five-bed hospital in the building complex. The new complex cost Rs 150 crore to build, and at least 75,000 donors have contributed to making it.

The construction took over eight years during which the COVID-19 pandemic broke out and delayed work.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale will attend a “karyakarta sammelan” of the organisation’s Delhi unit on February 19 to mark the beginning of its work from the new building in Delhi’s Jhandewalan.

The Nagpur-headquartered organisation will organise its annual ‘Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha’, considered the RSS’ top decision-making body, in Bengaluru from March 21 to March 23.

Some 1,500 people including senior functionaries of the RSS and affiliated organisations will meet to discuss key issues, including organisational matters. Resolutions will be passed to outline the RSS’ positions on a host of matters.

The RSS had been using a rented place as its office since 2016, following the beginning of the rebuilding and renovation exercise at the place, out of which it had been working since 1962.

The revamped building – a vast change from the earlier two-storey building – fuses modern technology with ancient architectural practices to make it airy and exposed to ample sunlight. Gujarat-based architect Anup Dave designed it.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/at-rss-12-storey-revamped-office-in-delhi-300-rooms-library-and-clinic-7695502

Congress’s Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has been summoned by a court in Lucknow in connection with his alleged derogatory remarks against the Indian Army during his Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Mr Gandhi will have to appear before the Lucknow MP MLA court — a special court that can try cases against MPs and MLAs — in the last week of March.

Former director of Border Road Organization or BRO Uday Shankar Srivastava had filed the complaint against Mr Gandhi on basis of which the defamation case was registered.

Mr Gandhi had apparently made the remarks on the Indian Army during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in December 2022.

The comment that “Chinese soldiers are beating up Indian Army personnel in Arunachal Pradesh” – a dig at the government over Chinese action at the Line of Actual Control — drew sharp criticism from many quarters and led to a massive political row.

Many BJP leaders had declared that Mr Gandhi as anti-national, accused his family of receiving Chinese hospitality and funds in the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.

It did not deter Mr Gandhi who continued to target the government over the China issue.

In March 2023, Mr Gandhi was barred from attending for a while after he was found guilty in a defamation case for a remark targetting Prime Minister M Narendra Modi over his last name. The Gujarat court which was hearing the case, sentenced him to a two-year jail term.

Though the sentence was suspended, the duration was exactly what was needed to bar leaders from parliament, the Opposition pointed out, calling it a conspiracy against the Congress leader.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-summoned-by-court-for-alleged-remarks-against-indian-army-7688484

A video from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur has sparked outrage after it allegedly showed water from a toilet tap being used for cooking during a national medical conference last week.

A national-level medical conference, attended by doctors and medical experts from across the country, was held at the medical college on February 6. During the event, food was arranged for participants. However, a viral video now circulating on social media appears to show water being filled from a toilet tap and then being used for cooking.

Amid the uproar, the medical college’s administration has issued a clarification. The college’s dean, Navneet Saxena said that the water was only being used to clean dirty utensils and not for cooking. He claimed that the context of the video was being misrepresented.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/jabalpur-madhya-pradesh-water-from-toilet-tap-used-for-cooking-at-medical-college-video-sparks-outrage-7688679

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the French city of Marseille on Wednesday, where he said freedom fighter VD “Veer” Savarkar attempted a “courageous escape”. This will be the last day of his three-day visit to France, where he will inaugurate the second Indian consulate in the country after the Embassy in Paris. After he concludes the French tour, he will embark on a US visit on February 13. He was welcomed in Paris On February 10 by a encouraging turnout of the Indian community.

What’s On The Agenda Today?

On the last day of his three-day France visit, on the agenda are programmes to deepen India-French ties, like the opening of India’s second consulate in the country and a ceremony to pay homage to soldiers who died in First and Second World Wars at the Mazargues War Cemetery. Further, Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron will also take a tour of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, an international nuclear fusion collaboration.

India’s France Connection During British Colonial Rule

PM Modi thanked the people of Marseille and French activists for their role on the Indian freedom struggle, when they “demanded that he not be handed over to British custody”.

During the British rule, Savarkar had tried to escape from British ship Morea in July 1910 while being taken to India for trial. He escape from the ship’s porthole, swam ashore and was returned to the British authorities by the French authorities who caught him. He was later sentenced to life imprisonment at Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

What Happened On Tuesday?

PM Modi and Mr Macron addressed the AI Action Summit and the 14th India-France CEOs Forum in Paris. Speaking at the event, PM Modi said, “This is more than just a business event–it’s a convergence of the brightest minds from India and France. You are embracing the mantra of innovation, collaboration, and elevation, driving progress with purpose. Beyond forging boardroom connections, you are actively reinforcing the strategic partnership between India and France.”

He also underlined the deep trust and shared values between India and France, citing democratic values, innovation, and serving the people as the pillars of their friendship.

“India and France aren’t just connected by democratic values. Deep trust, innovation, and serving the people are the pillars of our friendship. Our relationship isn’t limited to just our two nations. Together, we’re providing solutions to global problems,” PM Modi added.

PM Modi also met US Vice President J D Vance and his Indian-origin wife along with their two young sons on the sidelines of the AI Action Summit. The Prime Minister was seen holding bilateral talks with Vance, while his wife Usha watched on.

Source : https://publish.twitter.com/?query=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fnarendramodi%2Fstatus%2F1889373282937585875&widget=Tweet 

Amid elaborate arrangements, over 73 lakh people took a dip at the Sangam till 6 am on Wednesday on the occasion of Maghi Purnima during the Maha Kumbh mela here.

The sacred bath began early Wednesday and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has been monitoring the event from Lucknow.

With the Maghi Purnima bath, the month-long Kalpavas will also end and around 10 lakh ‘Kalpvasis’ will start leaving the Maha Kumbh. The administration has requested them to follow traffic rules and use only authorised parking spaces.

While lakhs of devotees are headed to the Sangam Nose to take a dip, the Uttar Pradesh government in a statement said that by 6 am, 73.60 lakh people, including 10 lakh Kalpwasis, had taken the ritual dip at the Triveni Sangam and other ghats.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has been monitoring the Maghi Purnima Snan since 4 am at the war room in his official residence in Lucknow, the statement said.

Director General of Police Prashant Kumar, Principal Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad and officials of Chief Minister Secretariat are also present at the war room, it said.

Kumbh SSP Rajesh Dwivedi said, “The movement of devotees is going on smoothly and we are taking care of all (crowd) pressure points.” “We have made elaborate arrangements during the previous ‘snan’ on Basant Panchami too. Our arrangements have been further augmented this time,” he said.

Talking about security arrangements in place for today’s snan, the SSP said, “More deployment has been done at all the pressure points. Along with that, we are briefing people to ensure a smooth movement.” Meanwhile, Adityanath greeted everyone on the holy bathing festival.

“Heartiest greetings to all the revered saints, religious leaders, Kalpvasis and devotees who have come for the holy bath at the sacred Triveni in Maha Kumbh-2025, Prayagraj. May everyone’s life be filled with happiness, prosperity and good fortune by the grace of Lord Shri Hari. May Maa Ganga, Maa Yamuna and Maa Saraswati fulfill everyone’s wishes,” he said in the post.

According to officials, elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure that the devotees take the sacred bath without any hassle.

The fair area has been declared a ‘no vehicle zone’ from 4 am on Tuesday, while the entire city will become a no-vehicle zone from 5 pm onwards, with an exemption for emergency and essential services, they said.

To avoid traffic chaos, designated parking lots have been marked for public and private vehicles.

Prayagraj ADG Bhanu Bhaskar said special police forces have been deployed at all places where crowd management becomes challenging.

The special traffic plan will remain in force till the completion of the ritual to ensure safe evacuation of devotees from the fair area in case of any emergency.

Bhaskar said real time data is being collected from toll plazas and officials of neighbouring districts so that the number of vehicles coming and the routes can be monitored and regulated.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/maha-kumbh-mela-2025-over-73-lakh-people-take-snan-at-sangam-on-maghi-purnima-7690751

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in France for AI Action Summit, answered one of the most frequently asked question: Can Technology and Artificial Intelligence replace humans from the job market?
In a clear cut answer, PM Modi said that humans can never be replaced and only the nature of jobs will change in the AI world. “History has shown that work doesn’t disappear due to technology, Its nature changes and new types of jobs are created,” PM Modi said during the address at the AI Action Summit. The prime minister further said that AI is writing the code for humanity in this century.
Co-Chairing the AI Action Summit along with French President Emmanuel Macron, PM Modi said that AI is changing the polity, economy, security and society.

He asserted that investment needs to be done in skilling and re-skilling people for an AI-driven future. “Education, agriculture and so much more. It can help create a world in which the journey to sustainable energy goals is faster,” PM Modi added.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/is-technology-a-threat-to-your-job-pm-modi-answers-the-big-ai-question-in-paris-summit-article-118134214

A dramatic chase unfolded at a hospital in Bihar’s Siwan when a man with a criminal record opened fire at a security guard while attempting to flee, instead wounding a patient. The incident occurred at a time when a criminal identified as Saddam Hussain surrendered in court today, after which he was brought to the hospital for a medical checkup. The police suspect the man who fired at the guard might have come to kill Saddam Hussain, NDTV reported.
The guard had seen the shooter, Arbaaz Alam, entering the women’s washroom and tried to restrain him.
When the guard attempted to stop him, Alam resisted, prompting the guard to strike him with a baton. Alam then sprinted out of the hospital, pursued by the guard. Once outside, he fired multiple shots, missing the guard but hitting a patient, Alok Tiwari, a local resident. Tiwari is receiving treatment at the hospital and is in stable condition.

Other guards who were at the hospital gate joined in the chase, and together they managed to pin down the accused.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/gunfire-at-bihar-hospital-man-enters-womens-toilet-opens-fire-during-escape-article-118153851

PM Modi’s US Visit: India has prepared a list of gangsters hiding in the United States and wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and police. Official sources from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said New Delhi plans to share the list containing the names of dreaded gangsters Goldy Brar and Anmol Bishnoi with Washington during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to the US this week, his first since Donald Trump returned to the Oval Office.

Acting on a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs, India’s leading security agencies compiled a list of gangsters residing in the United States.

Sources reveal that while central agencies already maintained a list of criminals fleeing abroad, a few weeks ago, they were tasked with specifically compiling a list of criminals based in the US, along with the status of their cases.

Anmol, the brother of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and accused mastermind behind the murder conspiracy of NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, was arrested in the US in November after immigration authorities discovered he was traveling with fake documents. He has been in a US prison since then. Last month, a special court in Mumbai issued non-bailable warrants for Anmol and two other wanted suspects in connection with Siddique’s murder.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/india-list-share-gangsters-hiding-us-goldy-brar-anmol-bishnoi-mha-pm-modi-donald-trump-latest-news-9224156.html

The Court said that an arbitral tribunal can exercise jurisdiction over the husband in such cases under Bye-law 248(a) of the Bombay Stock Exchange2 Byelaws, 1957.
The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that a husband can be held jointly and severally liable for the debit balance in his wife’s stock trading account based on an oral agreement and the nature of their financial dealings [AC Choksi Share Broker Vs Jatin Pratap Desai].

A Bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Sandeep Mehta said that an arbitral tribunal can exercise jurisdiction over the husband in such cases under Bye-law 248(a) of the Bombay Stock Exchange2 Byelaws, 1957.

“Under Bye-law 248(a) (BSE), the arbitral tribunal could have exercised jurisdiction over respondent no. 1 (husband) on the basis of an oral contract that he would be jointly and severally liable for the transactions undertaken in respondent no. 2’s (wife) account. Such oral contract would not amount to a “private” transaction that falls outside the scope of arbitration,” the Court ruled.

The key issue in this appeal is whether the husband of a woman could be made a party to an arbitration initiated by the appellant, a registered stockbroker.

The dispute arose over a debit balance in the wife’s trading account, for which the arbitral tribunal held both respondents jointly and severally liable.

The respondents had opened separate trading accounts with the appellant-stock broker in 1999, but the appellant claimed they had agreed to operate them jointly and share liability for any losses.

By early 2001, the wife’s account had a significant debit balance (loss) while the husband had a credit balance. On oral instructions from the husband, the appellant transferred funds from his account to the wife’s account to offset the losses.

However, due to a stock market crash, the debit balance increased significantly, leading the appellant to seek recovery from both respondents through arbitration.

The husband contested the claim, arguing that he was wrongly included in the arbitration and that the transfer of funds was unauthorised under SEBI guidelines.

The arbitral tribunal ruled in favour of the broker, holding that both respondents were jointly and severally liable for the losses.

It relied on evidence suggesting that the husband was actively involved in the transactions and had agreed to cover the shortfall. The tribunal also dismissed the husband’s counterclaim, reasoning that the financial dealings between the respondents indicated shared liability. It acknowledged SEBI guidelines requiring written authorisation for fund transfers but justified its decision based on past dealings and the couple’s financial relationship.

When the respondents challenged this decision under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, a single-judge of the Bombay High Court dismissed their applications.

On appeal under Section 37, a Division Bench of the High Court overturned the tribunal’s ruling against the husband and held that the husband should not have been included in the arbitration.

The High Court reasoned that his alleged liability stemmed from a private understanding, separate from transactions conducted under the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) rules. It further held that oral agreements could not override official trading records and SEBI guidelines. As a result, it deemed the tribunal’s decision as lacking jurisdiction and containing errors in law.

The stock broker then approached the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court held that the arbitral tribunal had jurisdiction over the husband under BSE Bye-law 248(a), which covers disputes between brokers and clients. Oral agreement between the parties, which established joint and several liability, was deemed incidental to the transactions conducted on the stock exchange.

The Court emphasised that the husband’s involvement in managing both accounts and the financial dealings between the parties supported the tribunal’s jurisdiction.

“Once the arbitral tribunal arrived at a finding that respondent no. 1 is jointly and severally liable for the debit balance in respondent no. 2’s account, which we have upheld above, Bye-law 247A in fact permits the withdrawal of the credit balance from respondent no. 1’s account……Although the arbitral tribunal has held that written authorisation for such adjustment is required, we find nothing in Bye-law 247A or in the SEBI Guidelines, on which this Bye-law is based, that mandates the same,” the Court said.

The Court found that the arbitral tribunal’s conclusion on joint and several liability was based on evidence, including affidavits and the conduct of the parties. The tribunal’s finding that the husband had orally agreed to be jointly liable was reasonable and not perverse, the apex court said.

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/husband-can-be-held-liable-for-wifes-stock-market-debt-based-on-oral-contract-supreme-court

February 14, Valentine’s Day, is the day of love, at least for some, if not for a lot around the world. The day has left a palpable impression on the larger social fabric of the world across borders and seas.

As of 2025, the V-Day is just 2 days away. And, one of the most platitudinous things about the day is the affectionate gifting of chocolates to one’s valentine.

Cocoa Beans Are Expensive

The cocoa bean, which leads to the making of this crucial element, that is ‘the chocolate’, was priced at USD 5,949 per metric tonne (ICE US Cocoa) in February 14, 2024. This has shot up significantly in the span of just about a year.

The price of cocoa as of February 12, just two days before Valentine’s day is pegged at USD 10,111 per metric tonne, according to the latest trends from Reuters.

This marks an increase of close to 70 per cent in the value of the raw material, that is used in the manufacturing of one of most consumed food items in the world in the period of a year.

This, however, is a relatively subdued rise, compared to the price of cocoa during Christmas of 2024, which was barely a couple of months ago. In December 2024, the price of this sweet (it is not sweet) gold had rocketed to Rs 12,565 per metric tonne.

Why Is It Happening?

This is happening due to a shortage in supply from the countries where cocoa is usually grown. Although American and European companies have a nearly monopoly in the confectionery market, Cocoa is largely grown West African nations. This includes Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon.

Why Does It Matter?

Now, what does this mean? Could the price of chocolates go up? Well, it is basic economics that needs to be applied here. When there is demand that cannot meet the supply, in this case cocoa, the natural happening is a rise in price, to saturate the demand.

As a result of this, the possibility of the prices being passed down to consumers cannot be dismissed. In addition, new measures including ‘shrinkflationary’, ie reduction in the quantity or quality of products, may also be deployed.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/valentines-day-2025-cocoa-prices-rise-nearly-70-since-february-14-2024-is-chocolate-in-a-pickle

Lucknow: Mahant Satyendra Das, the chief priest of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya, died at a hospital here on Wednesday.

The 85-year-old was admitted to the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI) earlier this month after he suffered brain stroke.

“Satendra Das ji, chief Priest of Ram Mandir Ayodhya, breathed his last today. He was admitted in HDU (High Dependency Unit) of neurology ward on February 3 with stroke in critical condition,” the hospital said.

He served as the head priest of the temple since he was 20-years-old, including during the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992.

Das, who hailed from the Nirvani Akhara, was among the most accessible saints of Ayodhya and the go-to person for many mediapersons from across the country wanting information on Ayodhya and Ram temple developments.

He was barely nine months into his job as chief priest when the Babri mosque was demolished on December 6, 1992.

Post-demolition, Das continued to serve as the head priest when prayers were offered to the Ram Lalla idol under a makeshift tent.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/uttar-pradesh/ayodhya-ram-temple-chief-priest-acharya-satyendra-das-breathes-his-last-3401682

Paris: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met Google CEO Sundar Pichai on the sidelines of the AI Action Summit in Paris where they discussed the “incredible opportunities” AI will bring to India.

The Indian-origin Alphabet Inc. CEO also discussed how Google and India can work together on the country’s “digital transformation”.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi co-chaired the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit alongside French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

“Delighted to meet with PM @narendramodi today while in Paris for the AI Action Summit. We discussed the incredible opportunities AI will bring to India and ways we can work closely together on India’s digital transformation,” Pichai posted on X along with pictures.

The last meeting between Modi and Pichai was in September 2024 in New York. The Prime minister was in the US to attend the Quad Leaders’ Summit hosted by President Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware.

Tuesday’s plenary session of the mega event was co-chaired by Prime Minister Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

On Tuesday at the summit, Modi made a strong case for collective efforts to establish a global framework for artificial intelligence (AI) based on open source which enhances trust, and transparency and is free from biases.

He also said the technology should be rooted in the local ecosystem for it to be effective and useful.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/pm-modi-meets-pichai-in-france-discusses-indias-digital-transformation-3401663

Sabeer Bhatia, the co-founder of Hotmail, has claimed that the Aadhaar project was carried out with a total expenditure of Rs 11,385 crore ($1.3 billion) when instead it could have been done for just Rs 175.16 crore ($20 million).

Bhatia spoke about the Aadhar project on a talk show called Prakhar Ke Pravachan, which is hosted by Prakhar Gupta.

He further said that Aadhaar project is “1.3 billion dollars ill spent” and also questioned whether all the biometric details that were taken are being used.

Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) was created to issue Unique Identification numbers (UID), named as “Aadhaar”, to all residents of India.

The entrepreneur then put forward his idea on how the project could have been carried out back then at a fraction of the cost incurred.

“A better way to solve unique identification of an individual would be video and voice technology which every smartphone user has,” he added.

Giving an example of airports, he said, “The moment you walk inside an airport, there is no need to show a card. The system will recognise you and say, ‘you have been verified’,” he said adding that “this is technology, and it can be built at less expense.”

Bhatia said that the project could have been built “under 20 million bucks”.

During the podcast he also claimed that whoever carried the project is “not a technologist, and they don’t know technology.”

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/rs-11385-cr-ill-spent-on-aadhaar-project-couldve-been-done-with-rs-136-cr-claims-hotmail-co-founder-sabeer-bhatia-3398158

Former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni has officially resigned from her position as Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinnar Akhara, days after her expulsion from the religious order. In a video shared on Instagram, Kulkarni stated, “People have issues,” addressing the controversy surrounding her appointment.
Her resignation follows internal disputes within the Kinnar Akhara, leading to her and Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi’s expulsion by founder Rishi Ajay Das.
In a video statement, Kulkarni announced her resignation, addressing the controversy saying “I, Mahamandaleshwar Yamai Mamta Nandgiri, am stepping down from this position.”

“The honour I received was for my 25 years of spiritual practice, but some people have issues with my role as Mahamandaleshwar,” she added.

“My Guru, Shri Chaitanya Gagangiri Maharaj, was a Siddha Mahapurush. I have done 25 years of penance with him. I don’t need to go to Kailash, Manasarovar, or the Himalayas because all the worlds are already in front of me,” said Kulkarni.
Kulkarni also spoke about the financial controversies linked to her appointment, revealing that she couldn’t provide the Rs 2 lakh amount when it was requested.
Kulkarni said that Jai Ambagiri Mahamandaleshwar paid the amount from his own pocket, emphasising that the money she possesses comes from her deep penance, not material pursuits.
Rishi Ajay Das, founder of Kinnar Akhara, on January 31 expelled Mamta Kulkarni from the Akhara. Famous actor Mamta Kulkarni renounced the worldly life, took ‘sanyas’ by performing her own ‘pind daan’ and was consecrated as the ‘Mahamandaleshwar’ of the Kinnar Akhara at the Maha Kumbh Mela underway in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj.
Das also expelled Mahamandaleshwar Laxminarayan Tripathi from the Kinnar Akhara for inducting Mamta Kulkarni, who is accused of treason, to the Akhara and designating her as Mahamandaleshwar without his knowledge.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/mamta-kulkarni-resigns-from-kinnar-akhada-mahamandaleshwar-post-wait-wasnt-she-expelled-article-118119465

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won the Delhi elections with a decisive mandate winning 48 out of 70 assembly seats, defeating the incumbent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), setting the stage for the saffron party’s comeback after 27 years. The party, which has been given an undisputed mandate by the people of Delhi, is now brainstorming on the next CM candidate. The BJP, which has often come up with surprise names when it comes to the choice of CM, could well be on their way to give another one, sources have told Times Now. The party will choose a CM from the chosen MLAs only, sources have said, adding that one of the four women MLAs could be chosen for the top post.
Times Now sources said that the party may choose a CM from the chosen MLAs only. The BJP may choose one of the four women MLAs – Neelam Pahalwan, Rekha Gupta, Poonam Sharma, Shikha Roy – for the top post, the sources added.
If Delhi gets a woman CM, it would be the first in 11 years after Congress’ Sheila Dikshit – the woman who served Delhi for 15 long years.

Atishi, the only winner among the top leaders, resigned from the Chief Minister post on Sunday. She became CM after the Supreme Court put conditions while giving bail to Kejriwal that he won’t be signing any files.

Concentrating on social engineering, the saffron party is likely to appoint a deputy CM also. If sources are to be believed, the entire cabinet for the Delhi government may have a significant women and Dalit representation.
One of the top contenders for the CM post is Parvesh Sahib Verma, who defeated Arvind Kejriwal from the New Delhi seat becoming the man of the moment on Delhi election results day. Parvesh Verma’s father, Sahib Singh Verma was the Chief Minister of Delhi.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/delhi-to-get-woman-cm-after-11-years-bjp-may-throw-up-a-big-surprise-election-results-aap-article-118119245

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration targeted Indian restaurants, nail bars, convenience stores and car washes in what the Home Office on Monday described as a “UK-wide blitz” on illegals working in the country, a style associated with US President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the UK Home Office had a record-breaking January as immigration enforcement teams raided 828 premises, including nail bars, convenience stores, restaurants and car washes, marking a 48% rise compared to the previous January.

At least 609 people were arrested in these raids, demonstrating a 73% increase from just 352 the previous year. “Tackling illegal working plays a vital part in the Home Office’s system-wide approach to ending the promise of false jobs used by smuggling gangs to sell spaces on boats and taking down their business models as we restore order to the immigration system,” the Office said in a statement.

A significant proportion of last month’s activity took place at restaurants, takeaways and cafes as well as in the food, drink and tobacco industry. This included a visit to an Indian restaurant in Humberside, where seven people were arrested and four detained.

“The immigration rules must be respected and enforced. For far too long, employers have been able to take on and exploit illegal migrants and too many people have been able to arrive and work illegally with no enforcement action ever taken,” said Cooper.

Why Is UK Cracking Down On Illegal Immigrants?

According to BBC, there were more than 23,000 people crossing the English channel in small boats between the time when the Labour Party won in July last year and December, and more people are dying than ever before. This has sparked concerns about illegal immigration amid Trump’s crackdown in America.

Given the rising popularity of anti-immigrant Reform UK, the Labour government is adopting a “show, not tell” strategy and want to give off a sense of demonstrable toughness, visible muscularity to tackle immigration.

The government has also released a video showing the deportation of migrants for the first time as it removed nearly 19,000 people including failed asylum seekers, foreign criminals and immigration offenders from the UK since July 2024. A total of 1,090 civil penalty notices have been issued during that phase, with employers facing a fine of up to GBP 60,000 per worker if found liable.

“These figures demonstrate the commitment of my teams to crack down on those who think they can flout our immigration system. I hope it sends a strong signal that there is no hiding place from the law, and we will continue to ramp up our activity to ensure those involved face the full consequences,” said Eddy Montgomery, Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime.

The Home Office is also working upstream to deter people from entering the UK illegally by launching a new international campaign to debunk people smugglers’ lies. “Social media adverts went live in Vietnam in December and Albania in January, highlighting real stories from migrants who entered the UK illegally, only to face debt, exploitation, and a life far from what they were promised.”

UK’s Border Security Bill

The latest UK crackdown on illegal immigration as the Labour Party government’s Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill returns to Parliament for its second reading this week. The new legislation aims to smash the criminal gangs that Prime Minister Keir Starmer-led administration says undermine border security.

The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill will grant law enforcement additional powers to take earlier and more effective action against organised crime gangs, including seizing mobile phones from people who come to the UK illegally before the point of arrest.

Source : https://www.news18.com/world/indian-restaurants-targeted-as-starmer-launches-trump-style-uk-wide-blitz-on-illegal-immigrants-9222746.html

No vehicles will be allowed in the Maha Kumbh mela area from 4 AM on Tuesday, while the no-entry rule will be applicable in entire Prayagraj from 5 PM. This ban will remain till Wednesday. The arrangements have been made in view of the Magh Purnima on February 12.

There is a belief that if a person observes ‘Kalpvas’ on the banks of Sangam in Prayagraj (during Maha Kumbh) till Magh month, he/she gets the fruits of penance of thousand years. According to the tradition, ‘Kalpvas’ is ending on 12 February, Magh Purnima. All ‘Kalpvasis’ will end their ‘Kalpvas’ by taking bath in the holy Sangam on Purnima Tithi, as per the rules.

What is ‘Kalpvas’? ‘Kalpavas’ finds mention in scriptures like Mahabharata and refers to the practice of a month-long period of austerity and spiritual focus. People who observe this ritual are known as ‘Kalpvashis’. These ‘Kalpavashis’ are expected to renounce modern comforts and live in tents near the Sangam.

Two Class 9 girls jumped out of a running bus after its driver, conductor and two other persons allegedly made obscene comments, stared at them and refused to stop the vehicle in Madhya Pradesh’s Damoh district, police said.

The girls were injured in the incident, which took place on Monday morning, and were admitted to the district hospital, they said.

The bus driver, conductor and the two other accused were later arrested.

“The two girls, students of a school in Tori, were going by the bus from Adhrota to appear for their exams. There were four other persons in the bus, including the driver and conductor. The accused made obscene comments and refused to stop the bus when the girls asked them to do so,” Deputy Superintendent of Police Bhawana Dangi said.

“The girls got suspicious as the accused, besides staring at them, also shut the rear door of the vehicle. Fearing for their safety, the two girls jumped out of the moving bus,” Dangi said.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/two-class-9-girls-injured-after-jumping-off-moving-bus-after-driver-others-obscene-remarks-101739245829299.html

Congress leader P Chidambaram has pointed out the reduced allocation for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in the Union Budget and wondered if Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was doing an “Elon Musk” on the foreign ministry.

In a budget presented by Ms Sitharaman on February 1, the MEA was allocated a total of Rs 20,516 crore as against the current fiscal’s budget estimate of Rs 22,154 crore and revised estimate of Rs 25,277 crore.

Mr Chidambaram’s ‘Elon Musk’ mention was about the tech billionaire being in charge of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has been tasked by President Donald Trump to carry out cuts to the US government.

Initiating a discussion on the Union Budget 2025-26 in Rajya Sabha on Monday, Mr Chidambaram sought to know the reasons for the reduction in allocations for the MEA and if the government is closing down embassies and consulates and shrinking India’s presence across the world.

“The finance minister has asked this house to appropriate Rs 20,517 crore for the Ministry of External Affairs. Usually, the MEA doesn’t figure in her Budget speech… In 2023-24, the past year we allocated Rs 28,915 crore. In the current year, the revised estimate is Rs 25,277 crore, almost Rs 3,600 crore less in the current year,” the former Union finance minister pointed out.

“For the next year, the finance minister is asking for only Rs 20,517 crore, another Rs 5,300 crore less,” he added.

“I wish the external affairs minister (S Jaishankar) is here. I suspect that, and I hope not, I suspect that the finance minister is doing an ‘Elon Musk’ on the external affairs minister”, Mr Chidambaram said.

“Somebody must explain, are we shrinking our world presence? Are we closing down embassies? Are we closing down consulates? Be that as it may,” Mr Chidambaram said further.

Ministry of External Affairs’s Budget Share

The MEA has been allocated Rs 5,483 crore for aid to foreign nations, slightly higher than last fiscal year’s Rs 4,883 crore.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/n-sitharaman-doing-an-elon-musk-on-s-jaishankar-p-chidambaram-on-budget-7682940

A 37-year-old driver from Pune recently died from Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), a rare and potentially deadly neurological disorder, bringing the total death toll linked to GBS in the region to 7.

According to a Pune Civic official, the driver, whose identity has not been disclosed, was initially brought to a Pune hospital after he complained of weakness in his lower limbs.

“The deceased worked as a driver in Pune. He was initially brought to a city-based hospital following complaints of weakness in the lower limbs,” a Pune civic health official said on Monday.

However, his relatives decided to transfer him to Nipani in Karnataka on February 1, before seeking treatment at a hospital in Sangli. There, he was administered intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), a common treatment for GBS.

Despite this, his condition worsened, and on February 5, the patient was readmitted to Pune’s Kamala Nehru Hospital against medical advice.

“On February 5, the relatives of the patient took a discharge against the medical advice (from Sangli) and admitted him the same day in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Pune Municipal Corporation-run Kamala Nehru Hospital, according to officials.

During his time at the Pune hospital, the patient tragically suffered supra-ventricular tachycardia, a heart rhythm disorder during treatment. “He suffered a cardiac arrest on February 9 and died,” the official added.

GBS outbreak in Pune: Total cases rise to 192

According to officials, of the 192 suspected cases, 167 patients were diagnosed with GBS.

Of the 192 cases, 39 patients were from Pune Municipal Corporation areas, 91 were from newly-added villages in the civic area, 29 were from Pimpri Chinchwad civic body, 25 were from Pune rural region and eight were from other districts.

More than 7,000 women have taken sanyas initiation in various akharas during the ongoing Maha Kumbh to protect the Sanatan Dharma, a statement released by the Uttar Pradesh government said.

According to the official statement, the number of women joining to protect Sanatan under the leadership of Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri of Juna Akhara, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Arun Giri of Shri Panchdashnam Awahan Akhara and Dharmacharyas of Vaishnav saints was high.

More than 7,000 women took ‘Guru Diksha’ in all the major akharas and pledged to serve Sanatan.

Dr Devya Giri, president of Shri Panchdashnam Juna Akhara, said, “This time 246 women were given initiation as Naga Sanyasini in the Maha Kumbh.” In the 2019 Kumbh, 210 women were initiated as Naga Sanyasinis.

Devya Giri said that among the women who were initiated, a large number of them are highly educated.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/uttar-pradesh/more-than-7000-women-have-taken-sanyas-initiation-during-maha-kumbh-3397573

Three new books penned by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee – including one tracing her long political innings since the 1980s – were launched at the 48th International Kolkata Book Fair, which drew to a close on Sunday.

Sudipto Dey from Dey’s Publishing, the publishers of the new books, told PTI that among the three, ‘Lipiboddo Kichu Kaaj’ (Some Chronicled Works), was the highest-selling one at the fair, which began on January 28.

‘Lipibodho Kichu Kaaj’ contains anecdotes by Banerjee when she was the Railway Minister and later the CM.

One of the other books, ‘Banglar Nirbachon O Amra’ (We and Elections in Bengal), an account of the elections fought by her party, the TMC, is also selling well, Dey said.

In the third book, ‘Salute 2’, Banerjee pays tributes to 50 eminent personalities through poems in Bengali and English.

TMC MP Dola Sen told PTI that “Didi (as Banerjee is affectionately referred to) is the bestseller of this book fair. You make an inquiry on your own and you will find out. Thousands of editions of her books have been sold out like past years.” During a recent function, the CM had said that she jots down her thoughts amid hectic work schedules.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/west-bengal/3-books-penned-by-mamata-launched-at-48th-kolkata-book-fair-3397611

In one of the deadliest blows to Naxalites in Chhattisgarh, security forces on Sunday gunned down 31 rebels in a fierce encounter in the state’s Bijapur district. Two security personnel were also killed in the face-off. The massive operation in the jungles of Bastar region was carried out by a 600-strong team of trained commandos and was planned for over a fortnight, according to reports.
The Sunday’s operation – hailed by Union home minister Amit Shah as a “big achievement” for the security forces – has raised the number of Maoists killed so far this year to 81.
The operation, which was planned for over a fortnight, witnessed jawans from the Chhattisgarh police’s District Reserve Guard, Special Task Force (STF), and Bastar fighters entering the Indravati National Park area through various routes on Thursday morning.

A section of the commandos entered the forests through the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra. Their movement to the Maoists cadres camping area was facilitated by the state police.

The operation began at around 8am with intense gunbattle on a forested hill along the border of Manded and Farsegarh police station areas, Bastar range inspector general of police Sundarraj P said. The exchange of fire lasted till around 4 pm, he said.
“So far, bodies of 31 Naxalites, including 11 women, clad in ‘uniform’ have been recovered from the encounter site. Besides, a huge cache of weapons, including AK-47, INSAS, SLR and .303 rifles and Barrel Grenade Launchers (BGL), and explosives have also been seized from the scene,” the official said.
The huge cache of automatic weapons from the site indicates the presence of senior Maoist cadres for a meeting, the official said.
The slain Maoists are believed to be from Telangana, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.
“The identification of Maoists will be done on Monday but a senior cadre is likely to have been killed in the encounter because the kind of automatic rifles recovered from the encounter spot. Police also had specific input of senior cadres hence the operation was planned,” an intelligence officer said on condition of anonymity.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/chhattisgarh-encounter-how-security-forces-struck-deep-inside-the-jungles-of-bastar-region-article-118101432

The much-anticipated eighth edition of the ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ (PPC), with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the helm, is set to return in a new and expanded format, featuring an array of distinguished experts and guests.

The 8th edition of PPC will begin on Monday at 11 a.m., where PM Modi will lead the gathering in sharing examination and stress management tips to students for overcoming exam-related anxiety.

Ahead of the PPC event, PM Modi on Sunday shared a ‘teaser’ of the event where he could be seen sharing light-hearted conversation with the students.

“Let’s help our #ExamWarriors overcome exam stress. Do watch ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ at 11 AM tomorrow, 10th February. #PPC2025,” said PM Modi, in a reminder to students and parents through a social media post on X.

In the video, PM Modi could be seen giving lucid explanation on how a top-class batsman focusses only on the ball, while keeping everything aside.

A couple of participating students also showcased their skills with one showing flower clapping technique while the other reciting a couplet.

The 2-minute video clip concludes with students speaking in one voice, “Very excited for Pariksha Pe Charcha.”

This year, the program will feature an impressive line-up of personalities, including spiritual leader Sadhguru, Bollywood actors Deepika Padukone, Vikrant Massey, and Bhumi Pednekar, as well as sports icons Mary Kom, Avani Lekhara, and Suhas Yathiraj.

Other notable guests include nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar, entrepreneur Radhika Gupta, digital influencer Technical Guruji and other renowned personalities from diverse fields who will guide students on essential aspects of life and learning.

This year, 36 students from all states and UTs, have been selected from state/ UT board government schools, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sainik School, Eklavya Model Residential School, CBSE and Navodaya Vidyalaya.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/video-pm-modi-shares-teaser-of-8th-edition-of-pariksha-pe-charcha-7672698

Anupam Mittal, the founder of Shaadi.com and Shark Tank India panelist, has a wedding gift for Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani’s youngest son, Jeet Adani – deleting his long-forgotten profile on the matrimonial website. Jeet Adani, who married Diva Jaimin Shah last week, had interacted with Mr Mittal on Shark Tank’s ‘Beyond The Tank’ segment days before his wedding and had requested Mr Mittal to delete his profile, which he said was created as a childhood prank by his school friends.

“As promised, here’s a small wedding gift from me to you & Diva @jeet_adani1. We have had ur profile deleted from @ShaadiDotCom now that u have confirmed ur participation in @sharktankindia,” Mr Mittal wrote in a post on X. He also attached a screenshot showing the ‘Jeet Adani’ profile as “not found” on the matrimonial website.

Jeet Adani and Diva Jaimin Shah, daughter of diamond merchant Jaimin Shah, got married on Friday in Ahmedabad.

Shark Tank “Divyang Special” episode with Jeet Adani

A special Shark Tank India “Divyang special” episode has been announced after Mr Adani suggested that there should be an episode centered around what can be done for entrepreneurs with disabilities and the entrepreneurs working for persons with disabilities. The registrations for the special episode with Mr Adani will remain open till February 15.

During the conversation with Mr Mittal, Mr Adani also said the Adani Group has mandated that about five per cent of their workforce will be persons with disabilities. He said the step was taken after he visited the Mitti Cafe – which employs adults with physical, mental, and psychiatric disabilities, particularly from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

“When I went to the opening of the Mitti Cafe (at the Mumbai International Airport), the smile, spark and compassion of their staff members, after all the hardships they have faced, moved me. After that, we decided to mandate that 5 per cent of our workforce – across Adani Group – will be from this background,” Mr Adani told the Shark Tank India panelist.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/anupam-mittal-has-a-wedding-gift-for-jeet-adani-its-a-deleted-profile-7675203

Four men, who head three dairies in three states, have been arrested in connection with the Tirupati laddoo adulteration case that had shocked the country last year. The investigation by a special team set up the Supreme Court after a massive controversy, has uncovered the details of the deliberate contamination.

Those arrested include Bipin Jain and Pomil Jain, former directors of Bhole Baba Dairy (Roorkee, Uttarakhand), Vaishnavi Dairy (Poonambakkam, Tamil Nadu) CEO Apoorva Vinay Kant Chawda, and AR Dairy (Dundigal, Telangana) MD Raju Rajasekharan.

The investigation revealed serious violations during ghee supply, with irregularities at every step.

For the supply of ghee, representatives of Vaishnavi Dairy secured tenders in the name of AR Dairy, said sources in the Central Bureau of Investigation. They fabricated false documents and seals, using the name of AR Dairy to manipulate the tender process.

Employees of Vaishnavi Dairy also created fake records claiming they have sourced ghee from Bhole Baba Dairy in Roorkee. The investigators found that Bhole Baba Dairy did not have the capacity to supply such quantities of ghee.

The team identified the irregularities and arrested four individuals from three dairies.

Allegations that ghee adulterated with animal fat are being use to make the laddoos for prasadam at the Tirupati exploded across headlines last year, sparking a massive row that speedily became political.

The Andhra government had red-flagged a report from a lab in Gujarat that said samples of the the ghee bought from a supplier in Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul contained traces of fish oil, beef tallow, and lard. The lab also added a disclaimer about “false positives”.

The Supreme Court slammed the mix of religion and politics and ordered a special team be formed to investigate the animal fat allegations.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/chiefs-of-3-dairies-arrested-in-connection-with-tirupati-laddoo-case-7673120