Category: India

Andhra Dy CM’s comments come after Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin accused the Centre of trying to impose Hindi through its three-language formula under the New Education Policy.

Amid the ongoing language row, Janasena Party chief and Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan has backed the BJP and called out Tamil Nadu politician’s “hypocrisy”. The actor-politician said that white Tamil leaders are against Hindi, they allow Tamil movies to earn profit from Hindi dubbed versions.
“I do not understand why some criticize Sanskrit. Why do Tamil Nadu politicians oppose Hindi while allowing their movies to be dubbed in Hindi for financial gain? They want money from Bollywood but refuse to accept Hindi–what kind of logic is that?” Kalyan said while addressing the party’s 12th foundation day at Pithampuram in Kakinada.
He added that India is a country with diversity in languages, and hence needs multiple languages not just two. “India needs multiple languages, including Tamil, not just two. We must embrace linguistic diversity – not only to maintain the integrity of our nation but also to foster love and unity among its people,” he added.

Andhra Dy CM’s comments come after Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin accused the Centre of trying to impose Hindi through its three-language formula under the New Education Policy. He alleged the BJP-led Union Government is implementing a “saffronized policy” to promote Hindi.

Recently, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had slammed Stalin for “running the future of Tamil Nadu students”, after which, the Tamil Nadu CM warned Pradhan to be cautious of what he says.
“National Education Policy is not education policy, it is saffronise policy. The policy was not created to develop India but to develop Hindi. We are opposing the Policy as that would destroy the Tamil Nadu education system completely,” Stalin had said in Tiruvallur.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/why-earn-profits-from-hindi-dubbed-films-pawan-kalyan-asks-tamil-nadu-leaders-mk-stalin-nep-row-article-119030449

NASA and Elon Musk’s SpaceX on Friday launched a much-awaited Crew-10 Mission to bring back US astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the International Space Station (ISS), where they have been stranded for nine months.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Elon Musk’s SpaceX on Friday launched a much-awaited Crew-10 Mission to bring back US astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the International Space Station (ISS), where they have been stranded for nine months. Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon spacecraft on the Crew-10 mission lifted off at 7:03 ET on Friday from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Four astronauts boarded SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket to replace Williams and Wilmore at the ISS.. These four astronauts are – NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA ) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov.

Visuals Of The Launch:

Notably, Crew-10 is the 10th crew rotation mission under SpaceX’s human space transportation system and the 11th flight with a crew aboard to the ISS station, including the Demo-2 test flight. The mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

In several states, there are plans to reconstitute DCCs and appoint new district presidents, including in Kerala and Karnataka. In states like Haryana, there have been no district and block committees for over a decade.

New Delhi: After almost 15 years, the Congress is planning to hold a national conference of its district presidents in the capital city soon, ahead of the anticipated organisational and structural changes in the party.

Sources said the conference is a part of the Congress national leadership’s plan to empower District Congress Committees, known as DCCs in party vocabulary, and make it the “real hub” of party activities. The conference of DCC presidents is seen as a first step to decentralise the decision-making structure in the party, they said.

The plan was to hold the conference—that last took place in 2009 ahead of Lok Sabha elections which Block Presidents had also attended—before the AICC Session in Ahmedabad on April 8 and 9. However, the paucity of time as well as the pending reshuffle in various districts appeared to have prompted a rethink on the schedule.

In several states, there are plans to reconstitute DCCs and appoint new district presidents, including in Kerala and Karnataka. In states like Haryana, there have been no district and block committees for over a decade.

A senior leader said the last such conference of district and block presidents had yielded good results as it motivated the grassroots-level leaders to ensure that the UPA returned to power.

The meetings of the Congress Working Committee in Belagavi and General Secretaries and state in-charges had resolved to strengthen district units and make it the prominent unit in the organisational structure like in the 1950s and 1960s.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/delhi/in-a-first-since-2009-congress-mulls-district-presidents-conference-aims-to-decentralise-decision-making-3446389

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma met EU Ambassador Hervé Delphin in Delhi, discussing collaboration on clean energy, education, and the EU’s plans to open a Programme Management Office in Guwahati.

Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday met European Union Ambassador to India, Hervé Delphin at the latter’s official residence here on Wednesday. In course of the interaction, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the EU Ambassador to India, Delphin and through him to other Heads of the Mission of Member countries for extending their support to the recently concluded Advantage Assam Summit 2.0 in Guwahati.

The Chief Minister and the EU Ambassador had a fruitful and meaningful discussion on opportunities for collaboration on clean energy, semiconductors, higher education, skill development, and in the aromatics and fragrances industry.

The top diplomat informed the Chief Minister that the European Union is exploring the possibility of opening a EU Programme Management Office in Guwahati. While welcoming the development, Dr. Sarma assured Government of Assam’s full support to it under the aegis of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

Later, taking to the micro-blogging platform X (formerly twitter), Chief Minister Dr Sarma posted, “Today in New Delhi, I conveyed my deepest gratitude to @EUAmbIndia H.E Hervé Delphin and also through him, to the other Heads of the Mission of Member countries for their support at #AdvantageAssam2 Had a good discussion on opportunities for collaboration on clean energy, semiconductors, higher education, skill development, and in the aromatics and fragrances industry. Glad to learn that EU is also exploring the possibility of opening a EU Programme Management Office in Guwahati. Assam will fully support it under the guidance of MEA, GoI.”

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/assam-cm-meets-eu-ambassador-to-india-discusses-opportunities-for-collaboration-in-different-sectors-article-118983336

The incident was reported from Ralwas village on Wednesday evening when Ashok, Bablu and Kaluram reached a local library to apply colour on Hansraj, who was preparing for competitive exams there, officials said.

A 25-year-old man was allegedly strangled to death in Rajasthan’s Dausa district for trying to stop three men from applying colour on him ahead of Holi, police said on Thursday.

The incident was reported from Ralwas village on Wednesday evening when Ashok, Bablu and Kaluram reached a local library to apply colour on Hansraj, who was preparing for competitive exams there, officials said.

As Hansraj refused to be smeared with colours, the trio kicked him and thrashed him with belts, before one of them strangled him to death, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Dinesh Agarwal said.

The angry family members and villagers later staged a protest with Hansraj’s body, blocking a national highway in the area that continued till 1 am on Thursday.

The protesters demanded a compensation of Rs 50 lakh to Hansraj’s family, a government job to one member of the family, and immediate arrest of the accused trio.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/25-year-old-man-opposes-holi-colours-gets-strangled-to-death-in-rajasthan-article-118984084

News18 spoke to two of the youths, Irshad and Faraz, who revealed startling details about the nefarious agenda of these scammers with the involvement of Chinese and Pakistani operatives

Eleven youths from Jammu and Kashmir were rescued from a cyber fraud hub in Myawaddy, Myanmar, after falling victim to a job scam. The group, originally promised employment in Thailand, was trafficked to Myanmar via Thailand’s Mae Sot. According to sources, the incident reveals a larger network involving Pakistani and Chinese operatives that aims to dent the Indian economy.

CNN-News18 spoke to two of the youths, Irshad and Faraz, who revealed startling details about the nefarious agenda of these scammers.

“We were offered a job in Thailand. The moment we reached there, we were put in the Myanmar army’s custody. They said that money was paid to their agents and that we would be released if the money is returned. They asked for Rs 10 lakh. When we refused, they started hitting us,” said Irshad.

The Jammu and Kashmir police, in collaboration with Interpol and CBI, have successfully repatriated 280 individuals from across India who were trapped in similar scams. The rescued youths from Jammu and Kashmir, including one woman, revealed the modus operandi of the network during interrogation. They recounted being lured under false pretenses of employment and trafficked to Myanmar.

“Like Irshad said, we wanted to leave. I called up my agent to rescue us from the trap. My agent blocked my number. They asked us to pay Rs 10 lakh. They cited expenses on us and payment to agents. We would be released if we paid up,” said Faraz. “I was connected to this via Facebook and Telegram. They promise high salaries. We get to know the truth on reaching there.”

Irshad said they realised this was a conspiracy after they were put in the custody of the Myanmar army. “We thought we would be killed. They asked us to trap Indians in the US and Canada. To lay a ‘love trap’ for them. We urge everyone not to fall into this trap,” he said.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/jk-youths-rescued-from-cybercrime-hub-in-myanmar-reveal-conspiracy-to-dent-indian-economy-exclusive-9261173.html

IISER Scientist Abhishek Swarnkar Dies: Dr Abhishek Swarnkar had an altercation with neighbour during which the latter allegedly pushed him to the ground and punched him.

The Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER) expressed grief over the death of its scientist Dr. Abhishek Swarnkar. Dr. Abhishek Swarnkar was involved in a parking dispute in Mohali which turned fatal.

In a statement, the IISER mourned the loss of “a brilliant mind” and called for swift and strong action against those responsible.

“We have lost a brilliant mind. Such an act of violence is unacceptable, and strict action should be taken against the accused,” it said, as per news agency IANS.

The institute highlighted Dr. Abhishek Swarnkar’s achievements, including his selection by the Department of Science and Technology to meet Nobel Laureates in 2017 and the recent publication of his research paper in the Journal of Science.

Dr. Abhishek Swarnkar, a 39-year-old scientist originally from Jharkhand’s Dhanbad passed away Tuesday night following an altercation with his neighbor in Mohali’s Sector 67. Dr. Abhishek Swarnkar, who had recently returned to India from Switzerland to join IISER as a project scientist, was involved in a dispute over a parking issue with his neighbor.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/lost-a-brilliant-mind-iiser-on-scientists-death-after-parking-fight-in-mohali-9261304.html

Udaya Kumar Dharmalingam, IIT Guwahati professor and son of a former DMK MLA, designed the Indian rupee symbol 15 years ago in 2010.

The Tamil Nadu government’s decision to introduce a new rupee logo has triggered a major political controversy after chief minister MK Stalin released a video unveiling the Budget 2025-26 logo.

In this new design, the national rupee symbol has been replaced with the Tamil alphabet ‘Ru’. The Tamil Nadu Budget 2025-26 is scheduled to be presented in the state assembly on March 14. This move has drawn sharp criticism from the Opposition, with Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party president K Annamalai calling CM Stalin’s decision both condemnable and laughable.

‘ ₹’ symbol was designed by Udaya Kumar Dharmalingam, a Tamilian, that was officially introduced in 2010 during the UPA government at the Centre.

Who is Udaya Kumar Dharmalingam?

• Udaya Kumar Dharmalingam, currently serving as a professor at IIT Guwahati, designed the Indian rupee symbol 15 years ago, in 2010. He hails from a political background, as his father, N Dharmalingam, was a former DMK MLA who represented the Rishivandiyam constituency in Tamil Nadu.
• The Indian rupee symbol represents India’s global identity in financial transactions and economic strength. Udaya Kumar, a design postgraduate from IIT Bombay, conceptualised the symbol, which was selected from thousands of entries submitted in an open competition conducted by the ministry of finance.
• “I don’t have complete information behind the reasons of this change; probably, the state government has their own ways, views, and reasons to make the changes. I designed this 15 years ago when the Central government floated a competition, and I won it, after which they implemented it, and it’s being widely used. I am really happy about being the designer of this symbol, but I never expected such a debate to ever occur,” Dharmalingam told news agency ANI amid the latest controversy.
• The winning design was selected from 3,300 entries submitted nationwide. The symbol is a fusion of the Devanagari letter “Ra” and the Roman letter “R”, and has now become a significant part of India’s currency and identity.
• The Indian rupee sign reflects Indian ethos, integrating the Devanagari “Ra” and the Roman “R” along with two horizontal stripes at the top, symbolising the national flag and the “equal to” sign. The Government of India officially adopted the rupee symbol on July 15, 2010.

Sitharaman slams DMK: ‘Why did not they protest in 2010?’

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman slammed the DMK government in Tamil Nadu over the rupee symbol row, questioning why they did not oppose it back in 2010, when it was officially introduced under the Congress-led UPA government.

She pointed out that the DMK government has allegedly removed the official rupee symbol (‘Rs’) from the Tamil Nadu Budget 2025-26 documents, which are set to be presented on Friday.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/meet-udaya-kumar-the-designer-of-symbol-and-son-of-a-former-dmk-mla-101741909477134.html

The vehicle took a sharp turn, leading many to flee, but some were unable to escape in time. The reckless driving resulted in one fatality on the spot and left four to five people seriously injured. Three two-wheelers were also damaged in the crash.

A horrific accident in the Karelibagh area of Gujarat’s Vadodara claimed the life of a woman and left several others injured after a high-speed car ploughed into multiple vehicles on Thursday. According to reports quoting police, the driver, identified as Rakshit Ravish Chaurasia, a law student at MS University, was under the influence of alcohol when he lost control of the vehicle.

Accident Caught On CCTV

The shocking accident, which was caught on CCTV near Amrapali Complex, showed the car moving at an estimated speed of over 100 kmph. Eyewitnesses reported that the vehicle took a sharp turn, leading many to flee, but some were unable to escape in time. The reckless driving resulted in one fatality on the spot and left four to five people seriously injured. Three two-wheelers were also damaged in the crash. The injured were rushed to the hospital for treatment, reported Times Now.

The perpetrator’s accomplice was arrested on charges of molestation.

A man in Delhi was arrested for raping a British woman in a Mahipalpur hotel in the city, ANI reported on Thursday.

His accomplice was arrested on charges of molestation, the Delhi police said.

The woman, who was friends with the perpetrator on social media, had come from the UK to Delhi to meet him, cops said, adding that the information about the incident had been forwarded to the British High Commission.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/delhi/british-woman-raped-in-delhi-hotel-2-held-3444773

JD Vance will arrive in Delhi later this month, while Tulsi Gabbard and Mike Waltz will be in India around March 15-18.

US Vice President JD Vance will visit India this month as well as his two top officials — National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz — sources said, bringing hope of strengthening ties in terms of security, trade and strategic ties.

JD Vance will arrive in Delhi later this month, while Tulsi Gabbard and Mike Waltz will be in India around March 15-18.

Mr Waltz is likely to participate in the Raisina Dialogue, one of India’s premier geopolitical summits.

“Both sides would expand their collaboration in multiple sectors, so the visits are going to be very significant for both,” said an official in charge of charting programmes for visiting dignitaries.

With India-US information sharing going up, it is expected that the visit of Ms Gabbard, the US Director of National Intelligence and NSA Waltz, the strategic partnership will deepen.

“The US has continuously been sharing intelligence on China and Pakistan with India. We hope that our bonds would deepen further,” an official said.

The US, he added, regularly shares inputs regarding ISKP and terror related groups as far as Pakistan is concerned. “In terms of China also, they share crucial information,” he added.

The visits gain in significance after the recent NATO meeting in Paris was held minus the US.

Sudiksha Konanki was last seen on March 6 amid a power outage at Riu República Hotel in Punta Cana, a well-known beach resort town in the Dominican Republic.

Authorities intensified their search for Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student originally from India who went missing earlier this month while on a spring break trip to the Dominican Republic with five others. Both the Dominican police and the FBI are involved in the investigation.

Konanki was last seen on March 6 during a power outage at the Riu República Hotel in Punta Cana, a popular beach resort town. Dominican police have been re-interviewing individuals who were with her in the early hours of that morning at the beach in front of the hotel.

The hotel said that her disappearance coincided with the power outage, which led several guests to head toward the beach.

What are the facts about her disappearance?

Sudiksha Konanki disappeared before dawn at a beach near her hotel after she and other guests went outside during a power outage, according to authorities, quoted by Associated Press.

Aleksej Besciokov Arrested: Aleksej Besciokov’s arrest comes after the US Department of Justice accused him of personally approving transactions on Garantex linked to North Korea-government hackers.

The co-founder of Garantex, a Russian cryptocurrency exchange sanctioned by the European Union and the US, was arrested in India. Police arrested Lithuanian national Aleksej Besciokov in Varkala.

Aleksej Besciokov’s arrest comes after the US Department of Justice accused him of personally approving transactions on Garantex linked to North Korea-government hackers and other cybercriminals. The charges against him include facilitating money laundering on the crypto exchange.

US Justice Department spokesperson Nicole Oxman confirmed that Aleksej Besciokov was “arrested in India at the request of the United States”, TechCrunch reported.

Who Is Aleksej Besciokov?

Aleksej Besciokov was indicted along with Russian national Aleksandr Mira Serda, who co-founded Garantex and lives in the United Arab Emirates. The two administrators “redesigned Garantex’s operations to evade and violate US sanctions and induce US businesses to unwittingly transact with Garantex in violation of the sanctions”, as per the US Justice Department.

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/aleksej-besciokov-arrested-at-us-request-india-arrests-cryptocurrency-administrator-accused-of-money-laundering-9259967.html

The employee, who tagged Indian bosses as “toxic”, stated that they are set to join one of the FAANG companies. However, their current employer is refusing an early release without imposing conditions and is not even open to a buyout.

An employee serving their notice period took to Reddit to expose what they described as a toxic work culture at their company. The Reddit user, who goes by the username “life_rolla_costa”, vented their frustration over the company’s refusal to grant an early release and accused their manager of piling on extra work as a condition for shortening the notice period.

The employee, who is set to join one of the FAANG companies – Facebook (now Meta), Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Google (now Alphabet), tagged “Indian managers shit”. They went as far as saying, “Even shit is better than these f**kers.”

An employee serving their notice period took to Reddit to expose what they described as a toxic work culture at their company. The Reddit user, who goes by the username “life_rolla_costa”, vented their frustration over the company’s refusal to grant an early release and accused their manager of piling on extra work as a condition for shortening the notice period.

The employee, who is set to join one of the FAANG companies – Facebook (now Meta), Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Google (now Alphabet), tagged “Indian managers shit”. They went as far as saying, “Even shit is better than these f**kers.”

They further revealed that their employer was imposing unreasonable conditions for an early exit. “They are even making terms and conditions like, if you want 30 days, do this work and that work.”

“How can I commit anything on my notice period?” they asked.

The Redditor concluded their post with the words: “I am so frustrated now. It’s getting on my nerves. I am literally crying while writing this.”

The post was shared in the “IndianWorkplace” community, a space where employees engage in candid “Office Canteen Conversations” – free from the ears of bosses or HR.

A Reddit user, who faced a similar situation, said, “Do enough to not burn bridges, but if you don’t want to return, then ignore and watch movies while sitting in AC. I did that and the manager let me go in 15 days.”

“Just faced a similar situation where my NP was unnecessarily extended along with illogical project demands,” another joined.

A few suggested buying out the notice period. “It’s all about priorities. Every company has a buyout option where you can walk out without a notice period, but they won’t give you F&F settlement. If joining the FAANG company means more to you, then go for a buyout. Not a big deal,” suggested a third Internet user.

The Redditor informed that their present company is not agreeing to a buyout.

Source: https://www.news18.com/viral/indian-managers-are-st-employee-calls-out-toxic-work-culture-in-fiery-notice-period-rant-9260000.html

Breaking News : Get the latest updates on major events, breaking news, and trending stories from India and across the globe for March 13, 2025. Stay informed with real-time developments in politics, business, technology, and more.

Rajasthan News : Massive Fire Breaks Out At Rubber Warehouse In Jaipur’s Harmada

Hyderabad News : Liquor Shops To Remain Closed On Holi
In view of Holi celebrations, Hyderabad police on Wednesday, March 12, announced the closure of all liquor and toddy shops, along with bars attached to restaurants. Liquor shops across Hyderabad, Rachakonda, and Cyberabad commissionerates will remain closed from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on March 14. However, the directive does not apply to bars in star hotels and registered clubs, a Siasat Daily report said.
Delhi News : Man arrested for raping British woman in Mahipalpur
A man was arrested on charges of raping a British woman in a Mahipalpur hotel in Delhi, the Delhi Police said. His accomplice was arrested on charges of molestation. The woman who was friends with the man through social media had come to Delhi from the UK to meet him. The information about the incident has been given by the Delhi Police to the British High Commission.

“Counterfeiting of medical devices is not merely a case of trade mark infringement, it is a grave offence that endangers lives,” the Court added.

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday ruled in favor of Johnson & Johnson (J&J) in a case involving the counterfeiting of its medical products, awarding the healthcare giant ₹3.34 crore in damages against the defendants.

Justice Amit Bansal, who passed the judgment, noted that counterfeit medical products not only amounted to trademark infringement but also posed grave public health risks.

“The counterfeit medical products sold by the defendants pose a significant threat to public health. Counterfeiting of medical devices is not merely a case of trade mark infringement, it is a grave offence that endangers the lives of people. The defendants’ conduct demonstrates a deliberate effort to mislead the public, jeopardize the consumer safety and exploit consumer trust for financial gain,” the judgment said.

Counterfeiting of medical devices is not merely a case of trade mark infringement, it is a grave offence that endangers lives.
Delhi High Court
The Court added that the defendants had also caused irreparable harm to J&J’s good will and reputation.

“The defendants’ deliberate and fraudulent acts have also caused irreparable harm to the plaintiff’s goodwill and market reputation. By selling substandard counterfeit products under the plaintiff’s trade marks, the defendants have misled consumers and associated the plaintiff’s name with the counterfeit goods,” the Court said.

The lawsuit, filed in 2019, alleged that the defendants were involved in the production, distribution, and sale of counterfeit surgical products under J&J’s registered trademarks, including SURGICEL, ETHICON, and LIGACLIP.

These products, used in critical surgical procedures, were found to be non-sterile, contaminated, and inadequately oxidized, posing significant risks to patient safety.

The case came to light after a neurosurgeon at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in the United States reported irregularities in SURGICEL products during a brain surgery. Investigations revealed that the counterfeit products had entered the supply chain through a complex network of distributors, including entities in the UAE and the United States, ultimately tracing back to M/s Medserve in New Delhi.

Justice Amit Bansal noted that the defendants had engaged in a deliberate, conscious, and wilful infringement of J&J’s intellectual property rights.

The Court found that the defendants had manufactured and sold counterfeit medical devices, repackaged expired products with falsified expiration dates, and distributed them internationally, earning substantial profits in the process.

Evidence presented during the trial included seized documents, electronic communications, and testimony from J&J’s witnesses. Local Commissioners appointed by the Court recovered counterfeit products, invoices, and financial records from the defendants’ premises, further substantiating J&J’s claims.

“The evidence presented before the Court, including invoices, bank receipts, and chat extracts, establishes without a doubt that defendant no. 1 has received substantial financial gains in the course of carrying out the infringing and counterfeiting activities,” the Court said.

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/delhi-high-court-awards-johnson-and-johnson-334-crore-compensation-in-counterfeit-medical-products-case

“These are ten things India does that I wish we had in America”, she wrote while running down her list with digital money transfers, transport services in Indian cities, convenience of delivery apps, doctor availability, waste management, vegetarian food options, and much more.

Kristen Fischer, an American woman living in India, shared factors she felt India were better in India than in the US. It ranged from healthcare to transport. She commented that India had better facilities for its people than what America provided to its citizens. In her recent video, she listed down ten things she wished America had like India. Her video impressed many from her 133K follower family and went viral with more than two million views.

“These are ten things India does that I wish we had in America”, she wrote while running down her list with digital money transfers, transport services in Indian cities, convenience of delivery apps, doctor availability, waste management, vegetarian food options, and much more.

Take a look at the video below:

Digital India

As the woman’s neighbours rushed to her house after hearing her screams, the accused, Umesh (28), tried to escape by jumping from the terrace but sustained severe injuries, police said.

Mathura (UP): A man disguised as a woman set his married lover on fire inside her house here on Tuesday afternoon after she refused to leave with him, police said.

As the woman’s neighbours rushed to her house after hearing her screams, the accused, Umesh (28), tried to escape by jumping from the terrace but sustained severe injuries, police said.

Both Rekha (30), who suffered over 70 per cent burns, and Umesh are undergoing treatment at SN Medical College in Agra, they said.

Rekha, a resident of Koh village, was alone at home watching TV when the incident occurred. Her children, aged seven and five, were at school and her husband Sanju, a farm labourer, was away at work, Farah police station in-charge Sanjay Kumar Pandey said.

Around noon, Umesh, a resident of Hasanpur village in Haryana and the brother of Rekha’s elder sister-in-law, reached her house with a bottle of petrol, the police official said.

“Umesh was wearing a lehenga to disguise himself as a woman and was dropped off near the village by a friend on a motorcycle. He entered Rekha’s house from the terrace, walked into her room and pressured her to leave with him. When she refused, he poured petrol on her and set her on fire,” Pandey said.

Alerted by Rekha’s screams, her neighbours rushed to her help while Umesh tried to escape by jumping from the terrace. However, he was seriously injured, the official said.

After reaching the spot, police took Rekha and Umesh to the Farah community health centre. Due to their critical condition, they were later referred to SN Medical College in Agra, police said.

“Umesh was a regular visitor to Rekha’s house and their relationship developed over time. On August 31 last year, Rekha left home with him. Her family filed a police complaint and she was brought back from Kinnaur district in Himachal Pradesh on February 10,” Pandey said.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/uttar-pradesh/up-disguised-as-a-woman-man-sets-married-lover-on-fire-after-she-refuses-to-leave-with-him-3442635

The gold was being transported illegally from Chennai to a trader in Nellore without proper documentation, police added.

Nellore (Andhra Pradesh): A total of 4.2 kg of ‘smuggled’ gold worth Rs 3.38 crore were seized by vigilance officials at the Venkatachalam toll gate in Nellore district, police said on Tuesday.

The gold was being transported illegally from Chennai to a trader in Nellore without proper documentation, police added.

“Suspects were tracked, and we deployed a team of vigilance officials at Venkatachalam Toll Plaza, where they were caught carrying 4.2 kg of gold ornaments. The accused had transported the gold from Chennai to jewellery shops in Nellore for hallmarking and were returning with it without proper documentation,” police told PTI.

A car travelling from Chennai was stopped and thoroughly checked at the toll gate, leading to the discovery of the gold, police said.

Three individuals—Harsha Jain, Anna Ram, and Ranjit Kumar—were arrested in connection with the case.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/andhra-pradesh/42-kg-of-gold-worth-over-rs-3-cr-seized-in-andhras-nellore-3442535

A man from Uttar Pradesh narrowly escaped death after slipping from a moving train while performing a dangerous stunt for an Instagram reel. The incident occurred on the Kasganj-Kanpur train.
The video of the incident, shared by a Reddit user, went viral on social media.
Originally posted on the Reddit account ‘r/indianrailways,’ the video has drawn massive condemnation from social media users. Many criticised the man’s reckless behaviour and warned against such life-threatening stunts.

In the video, the man is seen dangerously hanging from a train window, clinging to the edge as the train moves. Unfortunately, moments later, he lost his balance and fell onto the tracks as the train abruptly stopped.

However, he managed to stand up and reboarded the train, escaping what could have been a fatal accident.

As the video gained traction on X, the Uttar Pradesh Police took note of the incident and urged authorities to take action.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/watch-man-falls-from-moving-train-while-filming-instagram-reel-article-118896231

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday saw heated exchange from Congress members after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sambit Patra made a remark about Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. During a debate on supplementary demands for grants, excess grants, and the Manipur budget, BJP MP Sambit Patra compared cricket captain Rohit Sharma to Rahul Gandhi, citing a comment by Congress leader Shama Mohamed about Sharma’s fitness. The remark triggered strong objections from Congress MPs, according to news agency PTI.
Presiding over the session, Sandhya Rai assured that the remarks would be expunged, but the protests persisted. Speaker Om Birla later intervened, calling on both treasury and opposition members to maintain the dignity of the House. As Congress members stood firm in their protest, Birla briefly adjourned the proceedings for 10 minutes.
When the House resumed, Speaker Om Birla rebuked opposition members for questioning the Chair’s authority. Following this, Sambit Patra stated that if his remarks had offended Rahul Gandhi or any other member, he had no objection to withdrawing them.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/congress-protests-in-lok-sabha-over-sambit-patras-rohit-sharma-jibe-on-rahul-gandhi-article-118911964

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that Mauritius is at the heart of India’s SAGAR vision while addressing a diaspora event in Port Louis.

“Mauritius is at the heart of India’s SAGAR vision,” PM Modi said, referring to SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision, introduced by PM Narendra Modi in 2015, is a strategic framework aimed at enhancing maritime security, economic cooperation and sustainable development in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), adding that the Indian Ocean needs to be secured.

It aims to act as a counter to predatory Chinese investments in the region which has attracted countries with infrastructural projects but then traps them in bad debt.

In his address, he also recalled that first visit to the island nation a decade ago and noted that his previous trip, which took place on the same date 10 years ago, was shortly after Holi.

He said that he had brought with him the spirit of ‘Fagwa’—the Bhojpuri term for the festival.

“This time, I will take the colours of Holi with me to India,” PM Modi said in an address to the diaspora at an event held in capital Port Louis.

Recalling historical ties between India and the island-nation, PM Modi said that Indian freedom fighters were brought to the island to face torture at the hands of British colonialists.

“Indian freedom fighters were brought here by deceit, they were tortured, but in those tough times, Lord Ram and Ramcharitmanas gave them strength and inspiration… I came here in 1998 to attend the International Ramayan Conference… I can still experience that faith today, which I experienced years ago,” PM Modi said.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/taking-the-colours-of-holi-with-me-to-india-pm-modi-to-indian-diaspora-in-mauritius-9258302.html

When scientists from Ahmedabad’s Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) sat down to analyse the crucial data from Chandrayaan-3, they noticed large, yet highly localised variations in the surface temperatures on the Moon. This sparked another intriguing finding from India’s historic mission to the Moon launched in 2023.

According to the team, ice may be present a few centimetres below the Moon’s surface, in more areas of the lunar polar regions than previously thought. The findings are crucial because they help us understand the availability of water on the Moon, better than before. This is also the key to future long-term exploration of the Moon which depends on the availability of ice to provide water.

So far, global scientists have only relied on previous remote sensing data. Direct measurements of the lunar surface temperatures are only available from the Apollo missions of the 1970s. However, these missions landed near the equator, several thousand kilometres from the proposed landing sites for future manned missions, and where terrain slope has little effect on temperature. But ISRO’s mission landed at a high-altitude site near to the South Pole of the moon on August 23, 2023.

WHAT CLUES LED TO THE DISCOVERY?

The team of scientists from PRL Ahmedabad led by Durga Prasad analysed temperature readings taken at the lunar surface by Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) – a thermal probe experiment on Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram Lander, which touched down at the edge of the south polar region. Its arm went to a depth of 10 centimetres below the lunar regolith (soil) collecting data on temperature changes.

Scientists noticed that the temperatures at the landing site, a Sun-facing slope angled at 6℃ peaked at 355 Kelvin – almost 82℃ and dropped to 105 Kelvin (-168℃) during the lunar night. However, a lower peak temperature of 332 Kelvin (59℃) was measured on a flat region approximately a metre from the Lander.

They derived a model using this data to show how the slope angle affects surface temperature at high lunar latitudes. The model indicated that for slopes facing away from the Sun, and towards the nearest pole, a slope with greater than 14℃ angles may be cool enough for ice to accumulate close to the surface. This led scientists to conclude that local topography of the Moon can affect temperatures, especially at high-altitudes, unlike in equatorial regions.

So, the larger slopes facing the pole at high altitudes may contain water ice, making them promising sites for future lunar exploration and habitation, they concluded. This is similar to conditions at the lunar poles, including those at the proposed landing sites for NASA’s manned Artemis missions near the lunar south pole.

CRUCIAL FOR FUTURE LUNAR EXPLORATION

It led the team to suggest that areas on the Moon where ice can form may be more numerous and easier to access than previously thought. The latest findings have been published in Nature’s peer-reviewed journal Communications Earth and Environment.

The discovery follows ISRO’s major breakthrough in 2008, when the first mission to the Moon provided evidence of water on the moon. Last year, the Chandrayaan-3 data also provided evidence of an ocean of magma which once existed on the Moon’s southern highlands – confirming scientists’ long-standing hypothesis of the Moon’s origin and evolution from a giant ocean of magma which later cooled down.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/how-chandrayaan-3-uncovered-ice-beneath-moons-surface-in-more-polar-areas-than-expected-ws-b-9257278.html

The Embassy of India in the United States has issued an advisory on fraud calls, saying that some fraudsters are “spoofing” the telephone lines of the Embassy to make calls aimed at “cheating” people.

The advisory also said that some of such fraud calls were shown as being from the telephone numbers of the Embassy.

Cautioning the people against such fraudsters and their modus operandi, the advisory said that they seek personal information such as credit card details. They sometimes even try to extort money from Indian nationals by claiming that there are errors in their important documents such as passports, visa form, immigration forms or more, which could be rectified by paying money, the advisory warned.

To fuel anxiety among people in order to cheat them, the fraudsters also claim that not rectifying the “so called error” poses risk of deportation back to India or imprisonment in the US, the Embassy said.

“In some cases, these fraudsters have also falsely claimed that they received such privileged information from the Embassy or other authorities in India,” the advisory read.

Visa applicants also receiving fraud calls

Apart from Indian nationals in the US, some visa applicants have also received such fraud calls purporting to be from the Embassy.

Clarifying that no such calls are made by the Embassy, the advisory said that no officials call any Indian or foreign national seeking their personal information. Even if any additional documentation is required from an applicant, it is only sought through official email accounts with domain “@mea.gov.in”.

The Embassy has advised people to not entertain any suspicious calls made in their name and to not reveal any personal information or send money to such fraudsters. In case someone receives such calls, they can be reported to the Embassy at this email id – cons1.washington[at]mea.gov.in.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-embassy-in-us-issues-advisory-on-fraud-calls-101741743117386.html

Discussions on the implications of the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in the Middle East are the two key agendas of top intelligence officials, who are scheduled to meet for a security conclave in the national capital this weekend.

The conclave, chaired by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, will be attended by officials of 20 nations, including US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) Director Daniel Rogers and Britain’s MI6 boss Richard Moore.

Interestingly, Mr Rogers’s visit to New Delhi will be at a time India and Canada are engaged in a diplomatic row over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Vancouver in 2023. Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had alleged the role of Indian “agents” in the murder.

“The security and intelligence chiefs are likely to discuss ways to deal with terror financing as well as crimes in the digital space,” a senior official said, seeking anonymity.

Deliberations on ways to enhance intelligence-sharing to combat terrorism and various transnational crimes are also on the agenda, the official added.

The security and intelligence chiefs are also expected to bring together heads and deputy heads of their respective nations’ intelligence and security organisations.

On the sidelines of the conclave, NSA Doval is expected to hold one-on-one meetings with his counterparts from several leading countries.

As per information available, intelligence chiefs of Australia, Germany and New Zealand are among those who will join the deliberations.

Sources said Ms Gabbard will arrive in India on Saturday, as part of a multi-nation tour to the Indo-Pacific. She is also expected to visit Japan, Thailand and France. It will be the first high-level visit to India by a top official of the Donald Trump administration.

Besides attending the intelligence chiefs’ conclave, Ms Gabbard is likely to address the Raisina Dialogue and hold a one-on-one meeting with NSA Doval.

During her meetings with Indian interlocutors, Ms Gabbard is likely to raise the need for India and the US to expand cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, with an overall focus on dealing with China’s increasing muscle-flexing in the region.

It will be interesting to see whether the two sides would discuss the case relating to an alleged foiled plot to assassinate Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil.

In November 2023, US federal prosecutors charged Indian national Nikhil Gupta with working with an Indian government employee in the foiled plot to kill Mr Pannun in New York. A probe ordered by the Indian government later recommended legal action against an individual.

Last month, Ms Gabbard met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Washington DC.

Officials said India would likely use the conclave as an opportunity to clear its tabs both on Mr Pannun and Nijjar.

Relations between India and Canada came under severe strain following Mr Trudeau’s allegations in September 2023 of the “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar on Canadian soil.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-to-host-20-nation-security-meet-ukraine-russia-israel-gaza-wars-to-top-agenda-us-canada-7902913

In an unusual turn of events, police in Madhya Pradesh’s Dewas district allegedly punished a group of youngsters for their “exuberant” celebrations following Team India’s Champions Trophy victory on Sunday night.

The stringent National Security Act (NSA) has been invoked against two of the men after the matter turned violent and they attacked the police. A person can be detained for up to 12 months under the NSA.

The police reportedly shaved their heads and paraded them through the streets as a supposed reenactment of their late-night revelry.

Videos of the incident, showing the tonsured youths being escorted by the police on Monday, quickly went viral. The controversy prompted BJP MLA Gayatri Raje Puar to meet with Dewas Superintendent of Police (SP) Punit Gehlot on Tuesday.

“These young men were celebrating India’s victory just like the rest of the country. They are not habitual offenders, and the act of publicly parading them in such a manner is completely unjustified. Their families accompanied me to the SP’s office, where we strongly condemned this disproportionate punishment. The SP has assured a thorough inquiry into the matter,” the MLA said.

Mr Gehlot said an investigation has been launched into both the Sunday night celebrations and Monday’s events.

“The probe will examine all aspects, including whether those detained were actually involved. Additional SP Jaiveer Singh Bhadoria has been tasked with conducting a time-bound inquiry, which will be completed within seven days. Those found responsible will face appropriate action,” he said.

The controversy stemmed from the large-scale celebrations in Dewas after India’s triumph in Dubai.

According to reports, when the police led by station in-charge Ajay Singh Gurjar attempted to stop some youths from dangerously bursting crackers near Sayaji Gate, a confrontation ensued.

Video footage showed a group of youths misbehaving with the officers, forcing them to retreat. Some individuals were even seen chasing the police vehicle and pelting stones at it.

Based on this footage, police charged 10 youths in connection with the incident. The following evening, videos surfaced showing some of them being marched from the police station to Sayaji Gate after having their heads forcibly shaved.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/madhya-pradesh-men-dangerously-celebrate-champions-trophy-india-win-cops-shave-their-heads-parade-them-7901645

Three Naxalites, including two women, with a cumulative bounty of Rs 15 lakh on their heads surrendered in Gariaband district in Chhattisgarh on Monday.

An official identified them as Dileep alias Santu, Manjula alias Lakhmi and Sunita alias Junki, who carried rewards of Rs 5 lakh each.

“Dileep, who surrendered with an automatic weapon, was active as deputy commander of Sonabeda-Dharambandha-Kholibatar (SDK) area committee of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist). Manjula was part of the area committee, while Sunita was a member of the outlawed outfit’s Bargarh area committee,” he said.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/chhattisgarh/three-naxalites-with-total-bounty-of-rs-15-lakh-surrender-in-chhattisgarhs-gariaband-3440772

Thirteen of the world’s top 20 most polluted cities are in India, with Byrnihat in Assam topping the list, according to a new report published on Tuesday.

The World Air Quality Report 2024 by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir said Delhi remains the most polluted capital city globally, while India ranked as the world’s fifth most polluted country in 2024, down from third in 2023.

The report said India saw a 7 per cent decline in PM2.5 concentrations in 2024, averaging 50.6 micrograms per cubic metre, compared to 54.4 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. Yet, six of the world’s 10 most polluted cities are in India.

Delhi recorded consistently high pollution levels, with an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 91.6 micrograms per cubic metre, nearly unchanged from 92.7 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023.

The 13 Indian cities in the world’s top 20 most polluted cities are Byrnihat, Delhi, Mullanpur (Punjab), Faridabad, Loni, New Delhi, Gurugram, Ganganagar, Greater Noida, Bhiwadi, Muzaffarnagar, Hanumangarh and Noida.

Overall, 35 per cent of the Indian cities reported annual PM2.5 levels exceeding 10 times the WHO limit of 5 micrograms per cubic metre.

Air pollution remains a serious health risk in India, reducing life expectancy by an estimated 5.2 years.

According to a Lancet Planetary Health study published last year, about 1.5 million deaths in India every year from 2009 to 2019 were potentially linked to long-term exposure to PM2.5 pollution.

PM2.5 refers to tiny air pollution particles smaller than 2.5 microns, which can enter the lungs and bloodstream, leading to breathing problems, heart disease and even cancer. Sources include vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions and the burning of wood or crop waste.

Former WHO chief scientist and health ministry advisor Soumya Swaminathan said India has made progress in air quality data collection but lacks sufficient action.

“We have the data; now we need action. Some solutions are easy like replacing biomass with LPG. India already has a scheme for this, but we must further subsidize additional cylinders. The first cylinder is free, but the poorest families, especially women, should receive higher subsidies. This will improve their health and reduce outdoor air pollution,” she told PTI in an interview.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/byrnihat-tops-global-pollution-list-delhi-most-polluted-capital-report-3441107

India told the UN Security Council that it has discussed with the Taliban regime various issues pertaining to bilateral relations and the “special” people-to-people ties has been the “foundation” of Delhi’s present day engagement with the country.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, said Monday at the UN Security meeting on the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) that in the beginning of this year, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai.

“The two sides discussed various issues pertaining to bilateral relations as well as regional developments. The Afghan side appreciated and thanked Indian leadership for continuing to engage and support the people of Afghanistan,” Mr Harish said in the Council.

“It was decided that India would consider engaging in development projects in the near future in addition to the ongoing humanitarian assistance programmes,” he said.

The January meeting between Misri and Muttaqi was the highest-level contact so far between Delhi and the Taliban since the regime took over Kabul in 2021.

Mr Harish underscored that India and Afghanistan share a relationship which has spanned centuries and as its contiguous neighbour, India and Afghanistan share a special people to people relationship which has been the “foundation of our present day engagement with the country.” Mr Harish said that India is closely monitoring the situation in Afghanistan and has been actively engaged in regional and international efforts to maintain stability and peace in the country.

“Our broad approach remains to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan and create an international consensus under the UN framework to resolve various issues between the de-facto authorities in Afghanistan and the international community,” the Indian envoy said.

He added that India’s participation in the UN meetings in Doha, Moscow Format and other fora are a “reflection of our efforts to secure peace, stability and development in Afghanistan.” India told the UN body that it has been working with various UN agencies for providing assistance to the Afghan people in areas of health, food security, education, sports and capacity building.

Since 2001, India has been committed towards rebuilding and reconstruction of Afghanistan.

“Our development partnership includes more than 500 projects spread across all provinces in Afghanistan,” he said.

Since August 2021, India has delivered 27 tonnes of relief material, 50,000 tonnes of wheat, 40,000 litres of pesticides and more than 300 tonnes of medicines and medical equipment to the country.

India has also partnered with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Afghanistan to provide assistance for the welfare of Afghan drug user population, especially women.

Under this partnership, India has, since 2022, supplied 11,000 units of hygiene kits, baby food, clothing, medical aid and more than 30 tons of social support items to UNODC, Kabul.

Underlining India’s historic relationship with the people of Afghanistan, Harish stressed Delhi’s “readiness” to respond to the needs of the Afghan people.

“At the same time, we remain committed to continue our close interaction with all relevant stakeholders on Afghanistan and support the international community’s efforts towards a stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan,” he said.

UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, told the Council it is the responsibility of the de facto authorities to indicate whether they want Afghanistan to be reintegrated into the international system and, if so, whether they are willing to take the necessary steps.

“The de facto authorities have so far treated their international obligations selectively, rejecting some on the basis they allegedly impinge on the country’s sovereignty or violate their traditions.” “But to be very clear, these international obligations affect not only the possibility of progress along the political pathway but, most crucially, the well-being of Afghanistan’s entire population, whose voices must be included in the political pathway.” She further said the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, as documented in the recent 1267 sanctions monitoring team report, demonstrate that the international community continues to have legitimate questions about the de facto authorities’ ability or commitment to uphold their own guarantees that Afghanistan will not become a threat to other countries.

Following the meeting in January between Misri and Muttaqi, a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said that the two sides evaluated the ongoing Indian humanitarian assistance programmes.

The Afghan Minister appreciated and thanked the Indian leadership for continuing to engage and support the people of Afghanistan.

The MEA statement had added that in response to the request from the Afghan side, India would provide further material support in the first instance to the health sector and for the rehabilitation of refugees.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/monitoring-situation-in-afghanistan-held-discussions-with-taliban-india-at-un-7896296

Former Indian Premier League (IPL) founder Lalit Modi took to social media to share a photo from Vanuatu after the country’s Prime Minister Jotham Napat ordered the authorities to cancel the passport issued to Modi, saying that the fugitive was attempting to avoid his extradition.
In a praise for the island nation, Lalit Modi said that one must visit Vanuatu as it a “heavenly country.” “Vanuatu a beautiful country. You must put on your bucket list. Away from all the pollution and noise. Truly heavenly country,” Modi posted on X.
Lalit Modi left India in 2010 and is learnt to have been living in London since then, as per reports.

Earlier in the day, Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat directed the Citizenship Commission to cancel the passport issued to Lalit Modi on Monday.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided properties belonging to former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and AICC General Secretary Bhupesh Baghel and his son, Chaitanya, on Monday. The 10-hour raid, which began at 8 am, reportedly seized Rs 33 lakh in cash, jewellery, and investment documents.

According to sources, the ED team arrived at the Baghel residence in Bhilai-3 Padumnagar in four vehicles and used a currency counting machine on the site.

Baghel has denounced the raid as a politically motivated attack on opposition leaders intended to silence him. He asserted that the Congress party would not be intimidated. He linked the raid to his recent questioning of BJP Deputy CM Vijay Sharma in the state assembly.

Baghel stated he and his large joint family, who are involved in farming and dairy businesses and possess 140 acres of land, had been anticipating the ED’s arrival. He claimed the seized cash included Rs 33 lakh, jewlery, documents including stridhan, which was deposited in the house from various family members.

Baghel announced that Congress would hold statewide protests against the raids, vowing defiance in Chhattisgarh and across the country.

The ED also conducted raids at 14 locations, including properties connected to Chaitanya Baghel, who is alleged to have benefited from a Rs 2100 crore liquor scam.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/chhattisgarh-news-ed-raids-ex-cm-bhupesh-baghels-properties-seizes-33-lakh-cash-congress-calls-it-political-vendetta

The Bikaner police in Rajasthan arrested six individuals, including four from Punjab’s Muktsar district, for allegedly hunting a deer, firing at the police team and attacking some locals while trying to escape. Their arrest came after a dramatic 60-kilometer chase, aided by local residents. A shocking video of the incident has gone viral, showing policemen and locals chasing and beating the suspects after catching them.

Video Viral On Instagram

The video was shared on the animal activist account “streetdogsofbombay” on Instagram with the details of the incident. It stated, “Six hunters from Punjab were recently arrested for illegally hunting deer in Rajasthan’s Bikaner after a dramatic 60-kilometer chase. A shocking viral video shows the accused even firing at the police before being restrained.”

It further stated, “The Bishnoi community, known for their deep love and protection of wildlife, has strongly condemned this act and is demanding strict action against the poachers. Protesters in Bikaner even surrounded the police station, calling for justice and accountability.”

The post further read, “Illegal hunting is a crime against nature, and those responsible must face the harshest punishment to set an example. The forest belongs to its rightful inhabitants, not those who seek to destroy it! We stand with the Bishnoi community in their fight to protect our wildlife.”

Details About The Viral Video

The video shows that the police finally catches the accused who are seen trying to escape in an open Jeep and in a Fortuner SUV. However, the police stops them after a long chase and thrashes the two accused with sticks as they are seen sitting in the Jeep after being stopped.

Other accused are also seen receiving treatment from a team of few police personnel. They are seen thrashing them while they are trying to flee by running in the open ground. The police then arrested them and took them to the police station, where the people belonging to the Bishnoi community protested at the police station demanding strict action against all the accused.

Weapons Recovered and Criminal Cases Filed

The police have registered four criminal cases against the accused at Bajju, Ranjeetpura and Hadan police stations. Additionally, the Forest Department has filed a case for illegal hunting. During the arrest, the police recovered a 12-bore double-barrel gun, a .22 rifle, a pistol, 189 live cartridges and one empty shell from the suspects. The incident reportedly occurred on March 1.

Who Are the Accused?

The arrested individuals have been identified as:

Snehbeer Singh (Ramnagar village, near Malout), a close relative of a former SAD MLA from Kotkapura

Harjit Singh (Killianwali village)

Sahil Kataria (Malout)

Sukhwant Singh (Malout)

Sukhjeet Singh and Gurkirat Singh (Gharsana, Rajasthan)

The seventh suspect is a minor

Public Outrage and Bishnoi Community’s Protest

The Bishnoi community, known for its commitment to wildlife protection, has strongly condemned this act. Following the incident, locals staged a violent protest outside the Bajju police station and shut down their businesses, demanding strict action against the poachers.

Team India captain and Mumbai Indians star Rohit Sharma returned to the Indian shores on March 10, Monday from Dubai, having led the Men in Blue to Champions Trophy 2025 victory. The 37-year-old was escorted by several policemen and fans could hardly keep calm before he entered into his car to leave for home.

Rohit added yet another ICC title to his arsenal as India thoroughly outplayed New Zealand on Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium. The right-handed batter also stepped up as a batter, earning the Player of the Match award as he smashed 76 to break the back of the run-chase. Having captained the Asian Giants to the T20 World Cup last year undefeated, Team India yet again won the trophy without being defeated by any other side.

Mumbai Indians had replaced Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya as captain ahead of IPL 2024

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Indians had triggered a lot of backlash before the start of IPL 2024 as they had replaced Rohit as the captain of the franchise, with Hardik Pandya replacing him. The seam-bowling all-rounder had a forgettable time on all fronts as the five-time champions finished at the bottom of the table with four wins and ten losses.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/video-rohit-sharma-heavily-escorted-by-police-as-he-lands-in-mumbai-after-team-indias-champions-trophy-2025-win

Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat has ordered the Citizenship Commission to cancel Indian Premier League (IPL) founder Lalit Modi’s passport, citing the rejection of Indian authorities’ request for an Interpol alert due to insufficient evidence.

“I have instructed the Citizenship Commission to immediately begin proceedings to cancel Mr. Modi’s Vanuatu passport,” Napat said in a statement.

He said that while background checks showed no criminal convictions, he was recently informed that Interpol had rejected Indian requests for an alert on Lalit Modi due to insufficient evidence, which would have led to the rejection of his citizenship application.

“While all standard background checks, including Interpol screenings, conducted during his application showed no criminal convictions, I have been made aware in the past 24 hours that Interpol twice rejected Indian authorities’ requests to issue an alert notice on Mr. Modi due to lack of substantive judicial evidence. Any such alert would have triggered an automatic rejection of Mr. Modi’s citizenship application,” the statement issued by PM Napat reads.

He clarified that a Vanuatu passport is a privilege, not a right, and applicants must provide legitimate reasons for citizenship.

“None of those legitimate reasons include attempting to avoid extradition, which the recent facts brought to light clearly indicate was Mr. Modi’s intention,” Napat added.

PM Napat said that in recent years, the Vanuatu government has strengthened the due diligence process for its citizenship by investment programme, resulting in more applications failing enhanced scrutiny by the Vanuatu financial intelligence unit.

The updated process includes triple-agency checks, including Interpol verification, the statement added.

Vanuatu is an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising an archipelago of 83 islands, of which 65 are inhabited.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/vanuatu-prime-minister-orders-cancellation-of-lalit-modis-passport-101741575236950.html

Kannada actor Ranya Rao is reportedly overcome with regret after getting caught allegedly smuggling gold into the country. She was caught with 14.2 kg of gold worth ₹12.56 crore at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru earlier last week. A new report says she is facing mental trauma amid all the investigation into her case.

Emotional Ranya Rao talks about mental trauma in court

Ranya was remanded to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) custody until March 10. As per an Indian Express report, on Friday, when she was produced in court, Ranya had large dark circles around her eyes, photos of which have surfaced online. She broke down while talking to her lawyers in the courtroom.

Ranya told her lawyers through tears, “I keep thinking why did I get into it. My mind keeps going back to the day at the airport. I cannot sleep…I am having mental trauma.

Ranya, known for her roles in Kannada films like Maanikya and Pataki, was detained earlier this week by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) after returning from Dubai on March 3 in connection with an alleged gold smuggling case.

Authorities allege that Ranya was carrying 14.8 kilograms of gold, which she intended to smuggle into the country.

On March 4, Ranya Rao was produced before a special court for financial offences and was remanded to judicial custody until March 18. Prior to her transfer to custody, she underwent a medical examination at Bowring Hospital in Bengaluru.

During her questioning, Rao claimed that her trip to Dubai was for business purposes. However, authorities suspect that her visit was linked to the illegal importation of gold.

What happened to Ranya Rao’s eyes?

Meanwhile, soon after the Kannada actress was arrested at Bengaluru International Airport, an image of her with swollen eyes and bruises began circulating on social media, leading to speculation that the actress might have been allegedly assaulted during or after her arrest at the airport.

The Chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Women, Nagalakshmi Chaudhary, responded to the viral image while speaking to ANI on Firday and stated that the commission cannot conduct an investigation unless a formal complaint is filed.

“Actually, someone has to file a complaint with us. The Women’s Commission is not an authority to conduct an investigation,” she said.

Condemning any act of violence against Ranya, Chaudhary stated, “Whoever has committed the assault should not have done so. That’s for sure. No one should take the law into their hands. We must allow the investigation, and the law will take its own course. No one has the right to assault anybody, whether it’s a woman or anyone else, but I’m totally against that.”

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/others/tearful-ranya-rao-tells-lawyers-about-her-mental-trauma-i-keep-thinking-why-did-i-get-into-it-101741515400428.html

The Congress on Sunday hailed Indian cricket team’s ICC Champions Trophy win, with Rahul Gandhi saying the team’s phenomenal run in the tournament has been truly inspiring.

Skipper Rohit Sharma led from the front with an excellent half-century as a resolute India held their nerve to win an unprecedented third Champions Trophy title with a four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the final in Dubai.

In a post on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, “A phenomenal team effort culminated in a glorious victory for the Indian cricket team as they lift the #ChampionsTrophy!” He added, “Brilliant performance by the skipper Rohit Sharma and everyone in the team! Your achievement fills 140 Crore hearts with utmost pride,” the Congress chief said.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi said the win won billions of Indians’ hearts.

What started as a celebration of India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 victory turned chaotic in Hyderabad on Sunday night, forcing the police to resort to a lathi charge to control unruly crowds. Jubilant cricket fans flooded the streets after India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the final in Dubai, but traffic disruptions and reckless behaviour led to police intervention.

The biggest gathering was in Dilsukh Nagar’s Chaitanyapuri area, where hundreds of young fans, including hostel students, came out in large numbers to celebrate. Many climbed onto vehicles, blocked roads, and burst crackers, creating a massive traffic jam near the Metro station. Despite repeated warnings from the police, the celebrations continued for hours, bringing vehicular movement to a halt.

Lathi-Charge to Disperse Crowd

As the crowd refused to budge, the Hyderabad police initiated a mild lathi charge to disperse the gathering. Officers first used microphones to request fans to clear the roads, but when some continued dancing atop vehicles and blocking traffic, the police took stern action. Videos of the lathi charge soon went viral, showing fans running as the police tried to restore order.

Traffic police officials confirmed that the situation became unmanageable when some individuals refused to cooperate and continued blocking roads. “We had no option but to use force to disperse the crowd and restore normalcy,” said a senior police official, according to a OneIndia Telugu report.

Nationwide Celebrations Amid Chaos in Hyderabad

While the lathi charge grabbed headlines in Hyderabad, celebrations erupted across the country after Team India’s historic win. Fans in Mumbai, Delhi and several other cities danced, burst crackers and distributed sweets.

The victory marked India’s third ICC Champions Trophy title, making it the most successful team in the tournament’s history. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the players, calling the win “exceptional game.” President Droupadi Murmu and several political leaders also praised the team’s achievement.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/hyderabad-cops-lathi-charge-fans-who-took-to-streets-in-dilsukh-nagar-after-team-indias-victory-in-champions-trophy-final-video-viral

Union Home Minister Amit Shah promised a grand temple for Mata Sita in Bihar while addressing ‘Shashwat Mithila Mahotsav 2025’ in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad on Sunday. The Home Minister praised the people of Mithilanchal and Bihar for their immense contribution to the development of Gujarat and said the area had a history of empowering democracy and philosophy from ancient times.
He also said that a grand temple for Mata Sita will be built in Bihar. “When I went to Bihar during the Lok Sabha elections, I had said Ram Mandir has been built, now it is the turn to build a grand temple of Sita Mata. The temple will give a message of woman power to the whole world and how life should be ideal in every way,” he said.
“The people from Mithilanchal and Bihar who have settled in Gujarat have contributed significantly to its growth,” the Home Minister said adding that they were safe, respected and welcome in the state. He said the land of Mithila has been a land of intellectuals from the times of Ramayan and Mahabharat. Bihar is set to go to polls this year and the BJP-led NDA is eyeing for a big victory against RJD and other opposition parties.

Talking of the land’s importance. he said, “Mahatma Buddha had said many times that as long as the people of Videha live together, no one can defeat them. Mithilanchal proved to be a strong force of democracy, which kept giving its message to the whole country for years. Mithilanchal was also a land of Shastrartha,” he said.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials on Monday raided the premises linked to the son of former Chhattisgarh chief minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel and others in connection with an alleged money laundering case linked to liquor scam. The agency stated the premises of Chaitanya Baghel in Bhillai and others in the state are being searched under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
ED had earlier said the Chhattisgarh liquor “scam” resulted in a “massive loss” to the state exchequer and the liquor syndicate earned over Rs 2,161 crore of proceeds of crime. Earlier, the probe agency had arrested a number of persons, including state government bureaucrats and businessmen, in this case.

According to a statement of the agency, the searche of premises is related to ex-CM Bhupesh Baghel including the residence of his son Chaitanya Baghel and also close associates of Chaitanya Baghel s/o Bhupesh Baghel and Laxmi Narayan Bansal@Pappu Bansal.

ED has made a sensational claim Chaitnya Baghel is recipient of proceeds of crime generated from liquor scam wherein total proceeds of crime is around Rs 2, 161 crores and searches were being conducted at 14 premises linked to him and others.

Remember Kairan Quazi, the prodigy who joined Elon Musk’s SpaceX as a software engineer at just 14? Well, he’s back on LinkedIn! The platform had deleted his account for being underage in 2023, but now, the US-based company has allowed him to access the platform.

“Now that I’m 16, LinkedIn has let me back on the platform,” wrote Quazi in a post on Instagram. Welcoming him back, one social media user commented, “Welcome back! We missed you.” Another added, “Back where he belongs.”

An Internet user had a rather unexpected request, saying, “Please start posting videos on YouTube again.”

Quazi has been working as a software engineer at SpaceX since 2023, contributing to the Starlink project. His role involves data-oriented design for optimisation problems, specifically in beam planning. It requires a deep understanding of low-latency, high-performance computing, and real-time programming.

He previously spent four years as an intern at Intel Labs, where he became the first undergraduate intern to collaborate with the Human AI Lab on advancing open-source predictive speech generation platforms. In addition to his work at Intel, he served as a keynote speaker at the Linux Foundation North America Summit and the SHIFT AI Global Conference.

Quazi graduated with a BS in Computer Science from Santa Clara University in 2023, making history as the college’s youngest graduate in its 170-year existence. During his time there, he also served as an Elected Senator in the Associated Student Government from 2021 to 2023.

At just 11 years old, in 2020, he earned an AS in Mathematics from Las Positas College.

What happened back in 2023?

In 2023, Kairan Quazi took to Instagram to announce that LinkedIn had deleted his account, citing their minimum age requirement of 16. “LinkedIn just sent me this notice that they are deleting my account because I’m not 16,” he wrote.

Calling the platform’s decision “illogical” and “primitive nonsense”, Quazi expressed his frustration, “This is the illogical, primitive nonsense that I face constantly. I can be qualified enough to land one of the most coveted engineering jobs in the world, but not qualified enough to have access to a professional social media platform? LinkedIn showing everyone how regressive some tech company policies are.”

He then urged his followers to help him reconnect with his LinkedIn contacts on Instagram. “Can people please share this screenshot on their LinkedIn for me and ask people to connect with me on Instagram?”

Source : https://www.news18.com/viral/linkedin-restores-access-to-kairan-quazi-software-engineer-who-joined-elon-musks-spacex-at-14-9255616.html

Seven persons were killed and 14 others injured in a collision between a truck and a sports utility vehicle (SUV) in Madhya Pradesh’s Sidhi district early on Monday, police said.

The incident took place at around 2.30 am near Upni petrol pump on Sidhi-Bahri Road, Deputy Superintendent of Police Gayatri Tiwari said.

The vehicles collided head-on when the SUV (a taxi service) carrying members of a family was going towards Maihar, while the truck was heading to Bahri from Sidhi, she said.

Seven persons travelling in the SUV were killed and 14 other occupants were injured in the accident, the official said.

Nine injured persons were referred to neighbouring Rewa for further treatment and the others were being treated at the Sidhi district hospital, she said.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sidhi-madhya-pradesh-accident-7-killed-14-injured-in-truck-suv-collision-in-madhya-pradeshs-sidhi-district-7888155

Kolkata: A priest of the Jagannath Temple in Puri on Sunday said he is setting up a 300-room luxury resort with a strong spiritual focus in the holy town.

The beachside project would be a pure vegetarian and non-liquor retreat, aiming to offer a “satvik” experience to pilgrims and travellers seeking spiritual serenity with modern comforts, the priest said in a press conference here.

The current valuation is Rs 200 crore, an official from his team said.

“Puri is not just a destination. It is a sacred abode where divinity meets the ocean. The resort will offer a blend of spiritual tranquillity and luxury hospitality,” Sevayat Daitapati Bhabani Das said.

The construction cost of the ‘Jagannatham’ project is estimated at Rs 110 crore, excluding land, he said.

The project, under Meridian Mist Hotel & Resort, is being built on a seven-acre beachfront plot along the Puri-Konark marine drive, about 8 km from the Jagannath Temple in Puri.

“I own the land and there is no conflict of interest with Jagannath Temple,” he said.

Set to open in 14-16 months, before the Rath Yatra of 2026, the resort is expected to redefine spiritual tourism in Puri, attracting both pilgrims and high-end travellers, Das said.

Das and his family own 100 per cent of the resort but are open to diluting equity based on the response to the project’s membership programme.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/west-bengal/jagannath-temple-priest-to-develop-rs-200cr-spiritual-luxury-resort-project-in-puri-3439021

Film stars Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff have been served notices by the district consumer disputes redressal forum, Jaipur-II, asking them to appear on March 19 for an alleged “misleading” advertisement of the Vimal Pan Masala. The chairman of JB Industries (manufacturer of Vimal Gutkha brand) has also been served a notice to appear before the forum for their ad that claims each grain of pan masala contains ‘saffron’.
The notice is over their tage line “”dane dane mein hai kesar ka dum” (each grain has strength of saffron). As per the TOI Report, Commission Chairman Gyarsilal Meena and member Hemlata Agarwal issued the order while reviewing a complaint filed by Jaipur resident Yogendra Singh Badiyal. The complainant alleged that JB Industries produces Vimal Pan Masala and distributes it nationwide for sale.
“The three actors, including Shahrukh Khan, Ajay Devgan and Tiger Shroff, advertise it to increase its sales. It is claimed in the advertisement that it contains saffron. However, the truth is that the price of saffron is around 4 lakh rupees per kg and their Pan Masala with Tobacco pouch comes in at Rs 5. In such a situation, forget about adding saffron, even its fragrance cannot be added to it,” the petitioner said.

The complaint alleged that the misleading advertisement encourages more people to purchase the pan masala and tobacco combo, ultimately benefiting the manufacturer. It further stated that the actors promote false claims by implying that every grain of the pan masala contains saffron.

“The manufacturing company is doing business worth crores of rupees and, on the other hand, the common people are inviting diseases like cancer by consuming the harmful and fatal combo of Pan Masala with tobacco known as gutkha. This mix, known as gutkha, is harmful to health, and the manufacturing company is also aware of this. In such a situation, it is deliberately advertising it by claiming that it contains saffron to mislead the common people. In such a situation, its advertisement should be banned,” the petitioner said.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/kesar-ka-dum-or-marketing-gimmick-srk-ajay-devgn-and-tiger-shroff-served-notice-over-vimal-pan-masala-ad-article-118798540

Mother of the RG Kar hospital medic who was raped and murdered on Saturday said she and her husband would like to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek justice for their daughter.

Speaking on International Women’s Day, the bereaved mother also raised a question over the safety and security of women in West Bengal.

“I would like to meet the PM and appeal to him to intervene in the matter and look into our appeal for justice for our deceased doctor,” she said.

The 31-year-old junior doctor was raped-killed at the state-run hospital in Kolkata on August 9 last year, triggering national outrage.

“Our daughter had dreamt big, and we never thought that she would have to die such a death. It’s been seven months since she left us, but where is justice? We do not even have the death certificate,” she claimed.

“If a woman doctor is unsafe at her workplace, then where is the security?” she questioned.

Reacting to the mother’s wish to meet the PM, BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul said, “There is a process to seek an appointment with the PM. I am sure that our Prime Minister will give them (the parents) some time and listen to their appeal.” When contacted, Trinamool Congress leader and state finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said, “Anybody in this country has the right to seek an appointment with the PM and meet him. But we must not forget that it was our leader Mamata Banerjee had taken the first step and the culprit was arrested. Even the probe agency could not differ from their findings.”

A sessions court in the city on January 20 sentenced Kolkata Police civic volunteer Sanjay Roy, the convict in the rape-and-murder case, to life imprisonment till death.

Both the CBI and the state government had filed appeals before the Calcutta High Court seeking capital punishment for Roy.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rg-kar-victims-mother-seeks-to-meet-pm-modi-appeal-for-justice-7881502

Two days after three civilians went missing from Jammu & Kashmir’s Kathua district, their bodies were recovered on Saturday, officials said. According to the sources, all three of them were on their way to attend a marriage function in Kathua when they allegedly went missing on March 6 around 8 pm.
Following this, the security forces launched a massive search operation under a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP). Their bodies were recovered after a long 60-hour operation.
This incident led to the suspicion of the terror link in this particular case, with BJP MLA Satesh Sharma raising the issue in the state assembly.

Sharma said, I want to inform you about the three missing civilians. We want to seek answers from the government.”

The deceased have been identified as Varun Singh (15), Yogesh Singh, and Darshan Singh.
Earlier, the investigation was focusing on a possible terror link, with a terrorist outfit already hinting at its involvement in the abduction.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/bodies-of-3-civilians-missing-since-2-days-recovered-from-jks-kathua-article-118805602

In Goa’s biggest drug haul, the Crime Branch officials allegedly arrested a man with hydroponic weed worth Rs 11.67 crore. The officials said it was the biggest seizure of drugs in the history of the coastal state. The man was arrested from Guirim village located between Panaji and Mapusa cities, a policeman said.
“We seized 11.672 kilograms of hydroponic weed worth Rs 11.67 crore from him. This is the biggest seizure of drugs in Goa’s history. He has been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act,” the spokesperson said, stated PTI.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawan hailed the Crime Branch for the accomplishment and called it a testament to the state’s efforts against the drug menace.

“Congratulations to the Crime Branch Goa Police for Goa’s Biggest-Ever Drug Bust! In a major breakthrough, the Crime Branch has successfully busted a drug racket, arresting an individual in possession of 11.672 kg of hydroponic weed worth ‘Rs 11.67 crores. This is a testament to the relentless efforts of our law enforcement agencies in keeping our state drug-free,” the Chief Minister said in an X post.

“The Goa government remains committed to a zero-tolerance policy on drugs, he said, adding that intelligence networks will be strengthened and surveillance enhanced to crack down on such crimes to safeguard youth and society,” he added.
“We will continue to strengthen intelligence networks, enhance surveillance, and crack down on drug-related crimes to safeguard our youth and society,” the CM further said, adding “Kudos to the @Goa_Police, Crime Branch and all officials involved in this successful operation. Let us all stand together in the fight against drugs and work towards a safer, healthier, and drug-free Goa!”

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/goas-biggest-ever-drug-bust-man-arrested-with-rs-11-67-cr-worth-hydroponic-weed-article-118813808

Predicting Pakistan-occupied Kashmir’s (PoK) assimilation into India in the near future, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday batted strongly for healthy relations with neighbours like Bangladesh and reflected upon the gains from one nation, one poll and delimitation.

Also, the BJP is the only party which has delivered on its promises under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and addressed the crisis of credibility created in politics, the Defence Minister told Gaurav Mishra, Ankit Paliwal and Rahul Chhabra of IANS.

Excerpts from the interview:

IANS: You have always said that PoK was, is and will remain a part of India? In your opinion, what is the future of PoK?

Rajnath Singh: In my opinion, Pakistan would never let go of PoK voluntarily. The rate at which economic development has taken place and the way India’s stature has grown on the world stage, people of PoK have started feeling that their development lies in joining a country like India.

The people of the region will force Pakistan to its assimilation into India… I believe the people of that region may not even need Pakistan’s consent for it.

IANS: How do you see the concerns raised by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin over the proposed delimitation exercise in 2026?

Rajnath Singh: I think Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin should not create hurdles in delimitation. If there is any objection, he can raise it before a suitable forum.

It is unfair to claim that delimitation would lead to an increase in the number of seats only in North India. People should be assured that, whether for the Legislative Assembly or the Lok Sabha, the number of seats will naturally increase after delimitation in every state. I firmly believe that Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala will also see an increase in the number of seats.

IANS: What is your opinion on the developments in Bangladesh since the fall of Awami League government and India’s interaction with the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government?

Rajnath Singh: India always wants to maintain good relations with its neighbours and Bangladesh is also our neighbouring country. We always try to maintain good relations with our neighbours because (former Prime Minister) Atal Bihari Vajpayee used to say that we can change friends but not our neighbours. So, we would like to maintain good relations with Bangladesh.

IANS: Is One Nation, One Election (ONOE) likely to become a reality in the near future?

Rajnath Singh: This should have been done a long time ago. I believe there has been a significant delay in this matter. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi truly deserves appreciation for introducing this bill. The process of One Nation, One Election should begin in India. The government will save an enormous amount of money — running into lakhs of crores. While I cannot provide an exact figure off-hand, the savings will be substantial.

Another major aspect is the saving in terms of time and the boost for governance. Currently, elections are held throughout the year — sometimes for panchayats, sometimes for municipal bodies, sometimes for MLAs, MPs, district boards, or district panchayats. If a fixed schedule ensures that Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections are conducted simultaneously, along with local body elections, it will not only save a significant amount of money but also a considerable amount of time.

IANS: The Delhi government has launched the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana of giving Rs 2,500 monthly assistance to poor women. In your view, what is the significance of the development?

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/people-of-pak-occupied-kashmir-will-push-for-joining-india-rajnath-singh-7880204

A man from Kerala was shot dead at the Jordan-Israel border by security forces while he was trying to cross into Israel illegally The deceased, 47-year-old Ani Thomas Gabriel Perera was reportedly a victim of a job scam.
As per reports, Perera and his brother-in-law Edison Charles had tried to enter Israel after arriving in Jordan on a visitor visa. Both were lured on the promise of a blue-collar job, reported BBC.
The agent had promised them a salary of Rs 3,50,000 a month, the report said. They paid Rs 2,10,000 to the agent before they left India and gave an additional Rs 52,289 ($600) after reaching Jordan.

However, as they arrived in Jordon, the agent said that there were no jobs available there and the duo should try for opportunities in the neighbouring country of Israel.

Believing the agent, the two tried to cross the border on February 10 when they were shot by Jordanian secuity forces. While Perera died on the sport, Charles survived and was repatriated to India after treatment.
Gabriel was a native of Thumba and his family said that they received an email from the Indian Embassy on March 1 confirming his death. The Indian Embassy in Jordan said it had learnt of the “sad demise of an Indian national in unfortunate circumstances.”
“The Embassy is in touch with the family of the deceased and is working closely with Jordanian authorities for transportation of mortal remains of the deceased,” it said in a post on X.

A 28-year-old man in Kerala died on Saturday after swallowing three packets of synthetic drug on spotting a police enforcement squad.

The deceased, identified as Iyyadan Shanid of Thamarassery, was initially taken into custody on suspicion of possessing MDMA for local distribution. According to police sources, he swallowed two plastic packets containing the drug in an attempt to evade arrest and attempted to flee.

Shanid was first rushed to the Thamarassery Taluk Hospital and then shifted to Kozhikode Medical College for specialised treatment, where a CT scan and endoscopy revealed two plastic packets inside his stomach.

Doctors also detected a white substance inside the packets. Despite medical intervention, he was declared dead at around 11 am.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/kerala-news-28-year-old-man-dies-after-swallowing-synthetic-drug-packets-to-evade-police-arrest

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday seized a Hawker 800A jet (N935H) at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA). Officials said the jet was allegedly owned by Amardeep Kumar, the prime accused in an alleged Rs 850 crore ‘Falcon scam’.

According to officials privy to the ED’s action, Kumar and an accomplice used the aircraft to flee to Dubai on January 22. Investigators confirmed Kumar as the beneficial owner of the jet, which was purchased in 2024 for USD 1.6 million (Rs 14 crore) via Prestige Jets Inc.

The ED claims that proceeds from the Falcon Group’s Ponzi scheme were diverted to purchase the jet. Upon landing in Shamshabad, officials said, the jet was seized, crew members were questioned, and the ED team recorded a close associate’s statement.

The Falcon group allegedly collected Rs 1,700 crore from investors, promising high returns through a fraudulent invoice discounting investment scheme. Out of the total funds collected, Rs 850 crore was repaid, but 6,979 investors were left unpaid.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/ed-seizes-hawker-800a-private-jet-in-connection-with-850-crore-falcon-scam-at-hyderabad-airport

About 15 years ago, an Indian rapper of humble origins broke onto the country’s then-infertile hip-hop music scene and transformed it forever.

He teased, cajoled and vexed his listeners, daring them to explore the “devilish” contours of his mind, as he sang rash rhymes about parties, drugs and “seducing” women. His songs played in clubs and weddings, blaring from stereos at big parties and roadside tea stalls alike.

Then, at the peak of his career, he vanished. Seven years later, Yo Yo Honey Singh is back – with a new album and an ongoing music tour, claiming to be a changed man after a prolonged battle with drug abuse and mental health struggles.

The 41-year-old singer and producer was once one of India’s biggest music stars, a figure who “moved the cultural gravity of hip-hop music”, says music journalist Bhanuj Kappal in Famous, a recent Netflix documentary on Singh.

But he was also deeply controversial – and, by his own admission, an “aggressive and reckless man”, routinely accused of promoting vulgarity, debauchery and violence through his music.

Many criticised Singh’s lyrics for depicting violence against women and rape, an image that gained further traction in the press after his former wife and childhood sweetheart accused him of domestic violence in her divorce filing. Singh has denied the charge.

Seven years later, the singer is no longer the defiant hitmaker who once ruled the charts with his provocative, foot-tapping anthems.

A lot has changed in the intervening years, including Indian hip-hop, which has evolved into a thriving, dynamic space. Artists once inspired by his sound have now surpassed him as the genre’s leading voices.

Singh also seems different. From someone who described himself as “the all-knowing master of the universe”, he now identifies as a God-fearing man who believes in good energies, the cyclic nature of life and “scientific astrologers”.

He claims his music is now more conscious, moving beyond drugs to something deeper. But loyal fans say it’s lost its edge and his latest tracks haven’t left a mark.

“He has a core audience that will stick with him forever… but his vision is old now. It’s outdated,” Kappal says.

But Singh is not ready to be written off, yet.

Instead of trying to conceal or defend his personal struggles with fame and drugs, he has made it the centrepiece of his comeback.

Since his return, Singh has candidly admitted his struggles with addiction and mental health. “Drugs destroyed me completely,” he told Lallantop, a digital news platform. “I lost myself to fame, money and women. I was like a devil, completely satanic.”

In interviews, he is witty and relaxed, speaking with the clarity of a tormented artist who, after battling his inner demons, seems to have unlocked a spiritual truth

“What goes around comes around, I really believe that,” he said recently. “It took a lot of time for me to get out from where I was stuck. But I am back now.”

Born Hridesh Singh in Punjab state, he grew up in a cramped Delhi neighbourhood. Those tough early years shaped his music and still echo in his work today.

“This ghetto was my home, my hood, always will be,” he’s often heard saying.

Singh always knew he wanted a career in music. He started as a college DJ, later moving into production full-time. “I wanted to make beats and produce music, not sing or write,” he says.

But after years as a small-time producer in Punjab, he realised it wouldn’t be enough. “My sounds were too urban for the place. People didn’t understand it. For that, I had to go beyond the state.”

So he went solo. In 2011, Singh released The International Villager, his breakout album. Blending Punjabi folk – its dhol beats and string melodies – with global hip-hop, he created something entirely new.

For three months, it seemed the formula had failed. Then everything changed. Overnight, the songs went viral, topped charts, won awards – and catapulted Singh into Bollywood.

Brown Rang, a song about a brown man’s global ambition, became YouTube’s most-watched video in 2012. Shot in Dubai on a million-dollar budget, it introduced many Indians to the bling of hip-hop – fast cars, baggy clothes, gem-studded watches and gold chains – set to slick, thumping beats.

Despite mounting criticism over his misogynistic lyrics, Singh packed stadiums and churned out hits, breaking into Bollywood with songs for stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar.

“A lot of times, my lyrics were trash, even I knew that. But people were still listening to it because the sound was so good and fresh,” he told Lallantop.

But Singh’s ascent to fame coincided with his personal downfall.

“I was drowning in drugs and alcohol, smoking 12-15 joints and downing bottles. I abandoned my family, lost control. This one time, I got so high I bit a friend on his stomach eight times,” he told Lallantop.

In 2017, Singh broke down mid-tour – a moment that shook him. He quit music and substances, returned to Delhi and began recovery with a global team of doctors and therapists. “I told my family I was mentally unwell. I can’t do anything till I get better.”

Singh says he’s been sober for seven years, except for the occasional beer.

“I have been to hell and back,” he says in Famous. “Even now, I wake up hazy because of the medicines.”

Fans, however, appreciate Singh’s raw honesty about his self-destructive tendencies – and his effort to overcome them.

“No-one’s perfect. But at least Singh tries to be better. He may have left the scene briefly but his music never stopped playing,” says Nandini Gupta, a Delhi-based student.

Others see his transformation as performative, noting his new music remains problematic. “Though toned down, he is still objectifying women and talking only about money and fame,” says listener Bushra Neyazi.

Source : https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czdn0zq7n0zo

Christian Michel James, an alleged middleman in AgustaWestland case, on Friday offered to “finish his sentence” and leave India instead of walking out on bail owing to “security risks”.

James was addressing special judge Sanjeev Aggarwal when he made the plea.

Following the reprieve in the CBI and ED cases against him, the special court imposed the necessary bail conditions for releasing him on bail.

While the Delhi High Court on March 4 granted him bail in the ED case and directed for saddling Michel with the necessary bail riders, the Supreme Court on February 18 granted the relief in the CBI case subject to the trial court’s conditions.

On Friday, the judge asked James, “How are you now? God has been kind to you in the last two months. You have got bail in both cases.” James, however, said, “Delhi is just a larger prison. My family cannot come to me…My security is at risk. I would rather complete my sentence and leave the country.” The judge asked Michel how could he continue to be incarcerated when bail had been granted to him.

“I cannot accept the bail. It’s unsafe. Every time I step out of Tihar (prison), something happens,” Michel said.

On the aspect of furnishing a surety bond, he said, “How can a person who has been in jail for six years produce local sureties?” After Michel stressed he did not want to be released on bail because of security reasons, the judge asked, “Can’t you find a safehouse in Delhi?” Michel then offered to “narrate in private the incident” he faced when he was admitted to AIIMS.

“The problem I have is with the police. I would rather talk to you in private,” he said.

The judge then asked the media persons and the police personnel to wait outside for some time.

At around 4.30 pm, the court passed its order, laying down the conditions for bail.

The conditions include James marking his attendance physically before the investigating officers once every 15 days, providing his cellphone number, email and residential address to the probe agencies aside from not leaving the country without the court’s permission and not tampering with the evidence or attempting to influence the witnesses.

“The accused shall not interact with respect to the present case with the media nor shall communicate regarding this case at any forum, during the trial of this case,” the court’s order said.

The court also directed James to furnish a personal bond and surety of Rs 10 lakh in both cases and surrender his passport.

James was extradited from Dubai in December 2018 and was arrested by the CBI and the ED later.

He is among the three alleged middlemen being probed in the case and the other two are Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cant-accept-its-unsafe-christian-michel-to-delhi-court-on-bail-in-agustawestland-case-7875122

Indian chess Grandmaster R Vaishali, and scientists Elina Mishra and Shilpi Soni were among the women achievers who took over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s X handle on the occasion of International Women’s Day on Saturday.

In a post from his handle, they said they were “thrilled” to take over his social media account and shared their messages to inspire other women.

“Vanakkam! I am Vaishali, and I am thrilled to be taking over our PM Thiru Narendra Modi Ji’s social media properties and that too on Women’s Day. As many of you would know, I play chess and I feel very proud to be representing our beloved country in many tournaments,” the 23-year-old wrote.

She said she has been playing chess since the age of 6 and that playing the game has been a “learning, thrilling and rewarding journey” for her.

In her message to all the women, “especially the young girls”, she told them to “follow their dreams, no matter the hurdles”.

“Your passion will power your success. I want to encourage women to follow their dreams and break barriers in any field they choose because I know they can,” Ms Vaishali, one of the top-ranked women chess players in the world, said.

“I’ve also got a message for parents and siblings – SUPPORT GIRLS. Trust their abilities, and they’ll do wonders. In my life, I have been blessed with supportive parents, Thiru Rameshbabu and Thirumathi Nagalakshmi,” she added.

Ms Mishra and Ms Soni, both from Odisha, also shared their messages and said that India is the “most vibrant place” for science, and called upon more women to pursue it.

“Both of us, Elina and Shilpi are seeing the wide range of opportunities opening up in our respective sectors. It was unimaginable that a sector like nuclear technology would offer so many opportunities for women in India. Similarly, the increasing participation of women and the private sector in the world of space makes India the most happening place to innovate and grow! Indian women surely have the talent and India surely has the right platform,” they wrote.

This is not the first time that women achievers have taken over PM Modi’s social media accounts. On International Women’s Day in 2020, his social media accounts were operated by seven women achievers, which provided them a global platform to inspire others.

Earlier today, the Prime Minister paid tributes to ‘Nari Shakti’ on International Women’s Day and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to women’s empowerment through various schemes and programmes.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/international-womens-day-vanakkam-im-vaishali-chess-grandmaster-takes-over-pm-narendra-modis-x-handle-7875201

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Friday invoked all actions under Stage-I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) with immediate effect in Delhi and surrounding National Capital Region (NCR), to mitigate the effects of ‘poor’ air quality.

The decision was taken after the Sub-Committee on GRAP, in its meeting on Friday, further reviewed the air quality scenario in the region, the IMD and IITM forecasts, and the Delhi air quality index.

“AQI of Delhi has shown an increasing trend due to calm winds and unfavorable meteorological conditions in Delhi-NCR. The AQI of Delhi has been recorded as 2O2 for 07.03.2025 (in the ‘Poor’ category),” the observation mentioned in the meeting.

Actions under Stage-l of the extant GRAP shall be implemented, monitored and reviewed by all the agencies concerned in the entire NCR to ensure that the AQI levels do not slip further, the statement from CAQM mentioned.

All implementing agencies have been asked to keep strict vigil and intensify measures regarding the extant GRAP schedule. Citizens have also been requested to strictly adhere to the citizen charter under the GRAP Stage plan.

Notably, over the past couple of days, Delhi-NCR has been witnessing a steady improvement in air quality following strong winds that helped clear the pollutants.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/grap-1-invoked-in-delhi-to-mitigate-effects-of-poor-air-quality-7873158

The Gauhati High Court on Friday granted anticipatory bail to YouTuber Ashish Chanchlani in connection with a case lodged by the city police following the outrage over the ‘India’s Got Latent’ show. The high court had on February 18 granted interim bail to Chanchlani in the case.

“After going through the case diary, the high court granted anticipatory bail to the petitioner,” his advocate Joyraj Borah told PTI.

Along with Borah, Chanchlani’s counsels Hiranya Kumar Nath, Apoorv Srivastava and Avinash Lalwani argued that their client appeared before the investigating officer and cooperated in the case as per the previous directions of the HC.

The bench of Justice Mridul Kumar Kalita pronounced the anticipatory bail by turning the interim relief absolute.

The FIR was registered by the city police on February 10 under the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhtia (BNS), IT Act, Cinematograph Act and Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act.

Chanchlani on February 27 appeared before the Guwahati Police, which quizzed him for several hours.

Earlier in the day, the city police questioned Ranveer Allahbadia, popularly known as BeerBiceps, in the case.

Apart from Allahbadia and Chanchlani, others named in the case are comics Samay Raina, Jaspreet Singh and Apoorva Makhija. The owner of the place where the shooting of the show took place has also been named in the FIR.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/youtuber-ashish-chanchlani-gets-anticipatory-bail-in-obscenity-case-indias-got-latent-row-ranveer-allahbadia-samay-raina-7872590

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday stressed on the need to reduce weight as he cited a report which claimed that nearly 44 crore people in India may be obese by 2050, and described the figure as “huge and scary”.
On the first day of his two-day tour of Gujarat and its adjoining Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu, the PM inaugurated as well as performed ground-breaking ceremony for projects worth Rs 2,587 crore for the UT, and launched a food security saturation campaign in Surat.
He addressed gatherings in Silvassa, the administrative headquarters of Dadra and Nagar Haveli district, and later at Surat.

Speaking at the rally in Silvassa, Modi called obesity the root cause of many diseases and urged people to fight the chronic health condition characterized by excessive body fat by doing regular physical exercises and reducing edible oil consumption by 10 per cent.

“Diseases linked to our lifestyle are posing a huge risk to our health today. Obesity is one of them because it is the root cause of many diseases. According to a recent report, nearly 44 crore people in India may be obese by 2050. This figure is huge and it is equally scary,” Modi emphasised.
He said one in every three people in the country may be suffering from obesity by 2050 if the findings of the report turns out to be true.
Modi warned obesity will prove dangerous for people’s health and everyone must start trying to overcome this situation.
“I have already made an appeal that people should reduce their edible oil consumption by 10 per cent. I want all of you to take a pledge that you will buy 10 per cent less oil. Regular exercises and cycling will also help you in reducing obesity,” Modi told the gathering.
The PM informed the audience that his government is planning to open 25,000 new Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country as part of its endeavour to make medicines available at affordable prices. Middle class and poor citizens have saved nearly Rs 30,000 crore so far by purchasing medicines from these government-run subsidised medicine shops, he noted.
The PM sought the cooperation of local residents to turn the Union Territory into a developed enclave on the lines of Singapore.
“There was a time when Singapore was just a small village of fishermen. But, thanks to the determination of its people, Singapore became what it is today. If people of this UT are ready to show similar commitment, I am ready to stand with you in your endeavour,” declared the PM.
Some of the projects launched by the PM included inauguration of a 450-bed hospital in Silvassa, two circuit houses in Diu, a toy train in Daman and inauguration of anganwadis (child care centres) and schools for the Union Territory.
From Silvassa, the PM travelled to Surat, where he launched a food security saturation campaign and addressed a gathering on the occasion.
In his address, Modi took a swipe at the Congress, saying those who have zero seats may not be able to count the zeros in Rs 32 lakh crore loans disbursed by the Centre under the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana targeted at micro enterprises.
Notably, the Congress failed to open its account in the February 5 assembly polls in Delhi, where the BJP emerged victorious. In the process, the Grand Old Party earned the dubious distinction of scoring a hat-trick of zeros in Delhi assembly polls.
The PM noted there was a time when the poor were not even allowed to enter a bank if he wanted to take a loan for his small business.
“Banks used to ask for a guarantee against loans. From where a poor person would arrange his guarantee? Thus, a poor mother’s son, Modi, decided to become the guarantor of every poor,” said the PM.
“We have disbursed Rs 32 lakh crore to poor citizens under MUDRA so far. Those who abuse us, those with zero seats may not be able to count the zeros in Rs 32 lakh crore,” said the BJP stalwart, taking potshots at the Congress.
He said the Surat Food Security Saturation Campaign will serve as an inspiration for other districts to achieve the goal of 100 per cent saturation of various government schemes.
“No one will be unhappy when no one is left behind (in journey of growth). We want to leave behind the system of appeasement and achieve satisfaction. In Surat, nearly 2.25 lakh new beneficiaries have been identified by the administration. Now, they will get free ration under the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana,” averred Modi.
The PM said he can very well understand the pain of the poor when it comes to securing food. Modi pointed out his government has streamlined the public distribution system (PDS) by weeding out five crore bogus ration cards.
Targeting past Congress governments, the PM asserted the people of India were tired of hearing the “garibi hatao (remove poverty)” slogan for nearly 50 years.
“People were tired of hearing garibi hatao slogan for nearly 50 years. This slogan was raised in every election campaign, but no one was able to remove poverty. My government succeeded in lifting 25 crore people out of poverty in the last 10 years,” he highlighted.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/why-pm-modi-asked-indians-to-reduce-oil-consumption-by-10-article-118796677

Two women—a 27-year-old female Israeli tourist and a 29-year-old female operator of a homestay—were allegedly gang-raped by three men on the banks of the popular Sanapur Lake, near Hampi in Karnataka, on Thursday night.

The incident occurred around 11:30 pm while the women were stargazing at the site. The accused also attacked three other travellers, who were with the women, pushing them into the canal before committing the crime.

One of them, Daniel, was from the United States. Another tourist from Odisha, who was with the two women during the crime, is missing after being thrown into the Tungabhadra left bank canal. A Maharashtra traveller, accompanying the women, was also injured.

The 29-year-old homestay owner reported in her complaint that she and four other guests went stargazing near the Tungabhadra Left Bank Canal after dinner late that night, reported NDTV.

Three men on a motorcycle approached them and asked where they could get petrol. When the homestay owner informed them that there was no nearby petrol pump, the men demanded Rs 100.

When the travellers refused, an argument broke out. The accused then attacked the travellers and the women, according to the complaint. They fled on their motorcycle after the crime.

A case has been registered at the Gangavathi rural police station under sections 309(6) (theft or extortion), 311 (robbery or dacoity with the intent to cause death or grievous hurt), 64 (rape), 70(1) (gang-rape), 109 (attempt to murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/two-women-including-israeli-tourist-gang-raped-their-male-friends-attacked-in-karnataka-9253679.html

An 82-year-old woman was allegedly denied a wheelchair at Delhi Airport by Air India due to which she fell and suffered serious injuries. Parul Kanwar, the granddaughter of the elderly woman, alleged in an X post that a wheelchair was pre-booked with the airline. The woman is the widow of a Lieutenant General.

Kanwar alleged that her grandmother had to walk for some distance inside the airport with the help of a family member and she collapsed near a counter of the airline. She reportedly suffered severe injuries. Kanwar further claimed that even first aid was not provided and she boarded the plane with injuries to her head and nose and bleeding lips.

The elderly woman is reportedly in the intensive care unit (ICU). In response to Kanwar’s post Air India said that “it was “concerned to note” the incident. The airline also wished for the speedy recovery of the woman.

“I post this because I have no choice, and because it infuriates me that there is such little value for human life and wellbeing. @airindia , you treated my grandmother so poorly, and with such little regard. You should be ashamed,” Kanwar said in her X post.

The incident took place on March 4 when the family was travelling back to Bengaluru from Delhi. She also highlighted that other airline, IndiGo had a free wheelchair but it did not share. Due to this, the elderly woman had to cross three parking lanes at T3 New Delhi.

“For our travel back from Delhi to Bangalore on 4th March 2025, we booked a wheelchair for my 82 year old grandmother (widow of a decorated Lt General, who has fought for India in several wars) well in advance – confirmed by the airline. Upon reaching the airport, she was not allocated one. We tried for almost an hour, requesting airline staff, airport help desk, alternate airline staff from @indigo (who incidentally had a free wheelchair but won’t share). With no other option, this old lady slowly made her way across 3 parking lanes at T3 New Delhi, on foot with assistance from a family member. She managed to enter the airport on foot, still no wheelchair or assistance was provided. Ultimately, her legs gave way, and she fell – she fell in front of the Air India premium economy counter,” Kanwar added.

The woman’s granddaughter also alleged that when her grandmother fell not a single person came forward for help. ” Not one person stepped in to help. We requested someone to help get first aid – no help. Expectation from Air India staff was for the family member to go to the MI room and get medical aid. Finally, the wheelchair arrived, and she was promptly boarded without a proper checkup with a bleeding lip and injury to her head and nose. On flight crew did help with ice packs and called ahead to Bangalore airport for medical aid, where she was seen by a doctor and given 2 stitches.,” she stated.

“Today, I sit here typing this from the ICU. She has been here 2 days under observation for potential brain bleeds. My mother and father watch as doctors pump her with medication, and her left side loses strength. From where we stand, it’s a long road ahead of pain and recovery which she did not deserve,” Kanwar highlighted.

A complaint has been lodged with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). “We have lodged complaints at DGCA, and with Air India and await action. Attaching pictures of my grandmother, at her grandson’s wedding on 3rd March, followed by her condition on 4th and 5th March. Please share for broader reach,” Kanwar posted.

Air India’s response:

Replying to Kanwar’s post, Air India said, “Dear Ms. Kanwar, we are concerned to note this and wish Ms. Pasricha a speedy recovery. We’d like to connect with you over a call in this regard and request you share your contact number and a convenient time via DM.”

Responding to Air India’s reply, Kanwar said that she was not interested in excuses and also demanded a thorough investigation into the matter.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/82-year-old-woman-falls-at-delhi-airport-after-air-india-allegedly-denies-pre-booked-wheel-chair-hospitalised-airline-responds

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to ‘Nari Shakti’ on International Women’s Day on Saturday and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to women’s empowerment through various schemes and programmes.

He also reiterated that women achievers from various fields would be taking over his social media accounts for the day.

PM Modi’s Tweet

“We bow to our Nari Shakti on #WomensDay! Our government has always worked for empowering women, reflecting in our schemes and programmes. Today, as promised, my social media properties will be taken over by women who are making a mark in diverse fields,” Modi said in a post on X.

This is not the first time that women achievers will be taking over the PM’s social media accounts.

A wildfire has engulfed About 50 hectares of area of Sajjangarh Sanctuary of Udaipur. 14 fire tenders have been working to control the fire as it continues to rage for the fourth day on Friday.

The fire had erupted on March 4 and was concentrated in Bhairu Bagh and its surrounding areas near the Sanctuary but now, the flames have reached near the hills of Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace and animal cages in the sanctuary, No casualty had been reported until Friday afternoon.

Looking at the fire, the entry of tourists has been stopped in Monsoon Palace, situated on a hill near the Sanctuary and Biological Park, while more than 10 families adjacent to this Sanctuary were evacuated.

The officials said that the sanctuary houses several wild animals, including leopards and foxes, however no casualties have been reported so far. Foresters have been stationed around the park for 24-hour monitoring, Additional labourers have been deployed to ensure the safety of the animals.

As per official, the fire is flaring up due to wind and dry grass. Fire Officer Shivram Meena said that due to change in wind direction, this fire is moving upwards. More than 150 employees are deployed on the spot. This includes employees of forest, fire brigade and police department.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/rajasthan-massive-wildfire-rages-in-udaipurs-sajjangarh-sanctuary-for-fourth-day-no-casualties-reported

A software developer, with a cumulative work experience of nine years in the US, said in a Reddit post that he is unable to find a job in India. He added that he returned to the country to look after his aging parents.

The techie, who was living in the US for the past 12 years, also mentioned that he has a degree from University of Michigan and has experience in full-stack development too.

“Returning to India and can’t get a single interview call!” he asserted.

Talking about his work experience, he added,“I have since worked at 2 universities as a Full Stack S/W Developer in US. (9 years – still working). My primary skillset is Python, Django (along with Django REST), JavaScript, Vue.js, Postgres. I have built web applications, data pipelines, and data visualizations.”

“I am coming back to India in May as I need to support my aging parents (mother has developed a disability and father is 78). I have applied to several jobs in India in the last 6 months but I have gotten just 1 interview call (recruiter screening – hiring manager reject).I am looking for some career advice. I HAVE TO COME BACK as I can’t leave my parents by themselves and there is still a 15+ year wait till I get my green card,” the software developer said.

Talking about the problems he faced, he further explained, “I have never worked with cloud computing or docker or kubernetes or message queues and I see these technologies listed in almost every job posting. Most devs in India already have this skill set (I am assuming). I have realized that not knowing key technologies that a senior developer like me should already know puts me at a significant disadvantage.”

Seeking advice over social media, the techie wrote, “Should I just upgrade my skillset first in the next 6 months and then try for jobs? Any advice/guidance is appreciated.”

Several other users replied to his post, wherein one user said, “Its cut throat competition in India with horrible wlb (work-life balance) unless you have contacts who can refer you.”

Another user replied, “Has your entire career been spent working at Universities? Such a work history would be considered a bit unusual in India, so that could be a factor.”

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/cant-get-a-single-interview-call-says-techie-with-9-years-of-work-experience-in-us-after-returning-to-india-3435006

US President Donald Trump had some words of appreciation for NASA’s Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams’ hair as he told a pair of stranded astronauts aboard the International Space Station that “we’re coming up to get you.”

Trump, 78, mused Thursday about the possibility of personally launching a rescue team into orbit to help bring astronauts Butch Wilmore and Williams back to Earth — and blasted former President Joe Biden for their eight-day mission stretching to nine months and counting.

“Biden left them up there,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

“We have two astronauts that are stuck in space. I have asked Elon (Musk), I said, ‘Do me a favour. Can you get them out?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ He is preparing to go up, I think in two weeks.” He added that Musk is “right now preparing a ship to go up” and get them.

“And I see the woman with the wild hair, good, solid head of hair she’s got. There’s no kidding, there’s no games with her hair,” Trump said during remarks in the Oval Office Thursday while talking about Williams.

Trump was responding to a question about Williams and Wilmore, who have been stranded on the International Space Station for the past nine months.

When asked what his message is for the two astronauts, Trump said “We love you, and we’re coming up to get you. And you shouldn’t have been up there so long.” Describing Biden as the “most incompetent president in our history”, Trump said he “allowed that to happen to you, but this president won’t let it happen.

“We’re going to get them out. We’re coming up to get you,” Trump said, lifting his head and looking up, as if sending the message to the astronauts.

“They’ve been left up there. I hope they like each other, but they’ve been… maybe they’ll love each other, I don’t know, but they’ve been left up there. Think of it. There’s a danger up there too. It can have some failures up there. That would be very bad. You got to get them out,” Trump said.

“So I’ve authorised Elon. A week ago, I said, we have two people up there that Biden and Kamala (Harris) left up there, and he knows it very well. I said, ‘Are you equipped to get them?’ He said, ‘Yeah.’ He’s got a starship, and they’re preparing it right now, and so Elon is going to go up and get them.

“Should I go on that journey just to be on the ship,” Trump said amid laughter from the reporters present in the Oval Office.

Musk said in a post on X that “the astronauts were only supposed to be up there for 8 days and now have been there for 8 months.

“SpaceX could have sent up another Dragon and brought them home 6 months ago, but the Biden White House (not NASA) refused to allow it. President Trump asked to bring them back as soon as possible and we are doing so,” he said.

Williams, 59, and Wilmore went on what was meant to be an eight-day mission to the ISS aboard Boeing’s Starliner in June 2024. However, technical issues including helium leaks and thruster malfunctions meant that the Starliner was unsafe for their return.

In January this year, Williams broke the record for total spacewalking time by a woman by logging 62 hours and 6 minutes of spacewalk when she and Wilmore had conducted a spacewalk that month.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/donald-trump-on-stranded-astronaut-sunita-williams-solid-head-of-hair-shes-got-7867049

Pintu Mahra, a boatman from the Arail area, whom Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath commended for earning ₹30 crore in 45 days, expanded his fleet from 60 to 130 boats ahead of the 2025 Mahakumbh by selling family jewellery and mortgaging land, the ANI reported.

Mahra’s family, traditionally in the boating business, initially hesitated due to the financial risk, the agency said. However, the surge of devotees at the event led to high demand for boat services, securing their financial stability.

‘Life was tough. We had to borrow money and mortgage gold to get the boats. My father used to earn, then he passed away. It took a lot of effort to build this, it took six months to get the boats ready,” Mahra told ANI.

The story gained national attention after Uttar Pradesh CM Adityanath cited Mahra’s journey as an example of the economic opportunities created by the Mahakumbh. Speaking in the Assembly, the CM highlighted how the festival injected an estimated ₹3.5 lakh crore into the state’s economy, benefitting local businesses, hoteliers, and transport operators.

“A boatman’s family that owned 130 boats earned ₹30 crore in just 45 days,” Yogi Adityanath said. “This is the power of faith and hard work. The Mahakumbh has changed lives.”

Source : https://indianexpress.com/article/india/boatman-mahakumbh-family-jewellery-expand-fleet-9872057/

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the tariffs being planned by US will have an impact on India, but Piyush Goyal is currently holding discussions with the Trump administration on the matter, reports news agency ANI. Speaking at a post-budget event in Vishakapatnam, Sitharaman said India is engaging with the US to protect its exports.

She said that India will take a call only after the outcome of the ongoing negotiations is clear.

“Tariff is something the US President has been speaking about. The Commerce Minister (Piyush Goyal) has already gone to the US (to) engage with US officials, including the United States Trade Representative (USTR),” Sitharaman said at a post-budget interaction at Visakhapatnam.

“We will have to see how the Commerce Ministry handles negotiations with the US to ensure that India’s interests are well-represented,” she added.

Trump’s reciprocal tariffs

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday reiterated that reciprocal tariffs would come into effect from April 2 against all countries that charge high taxes from the country. But Indian officials held out hope for a resolution that could help India escape the tariffs, and eventually culminate in a trade deal by this fall.

Trump said that the strategy aims to address unfair trade practices, including non-monetary barriers, subsidies, and VAT systems. The approach is designed to encourage foreign nations to either lower or eliminate tariffs on US products or establish manufacturing operations in the US, ultimately contributing to its economic growth.

But his tariffs on Canada and Mexico roiled financial markets, lowered consumer confidence, and enveloped many businesses in an uncertain atmosphere that could delay hiring and investment. The tariffs came into effect on Tuesday, but Trump rolled some of them back as soon as the markets tanked.

The halt – which will last until April 2 – offers relief to automakers.

Trump has referred to tariffs as a source of US government revenue and a way to remedy trade imbalances.

The US trade deficit surged to a new record in January, ballooning 34 percent to $131.4 billion as imports rose.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/trump-tariffs-will-impact-india-working-to-protect-its-exports-amid-us-tariffs-threat-nirmala-sitharaman-101741308048564.html

Kannada film actor Ranya Rao, was arrested in one of the largest gold seizures at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport in recent years, after allegedly smuggling 14.8 kg of the contraband from Dubai attached to her body.

33-year-old Rao, the stepdaughter of a senior DGP-rank IPS officer in Karnataka, was arrested by officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on March 3, acting on a tip-off about her arrival at the airport.

How did Ranya Rao smuggle the gold?

While it had been suspected that Rao had smuggled gold bars in her jacket, the DRI confirmed that the contraband was found on her during a physical check.

“Upon examination, gold bars weighing 14.2 kg were found ingeniously concealed on (her) person,” the DRI stated.

Ranya Rao had allegedly strapped 14 old bars, approximately one kg each, to her thighs with tape and crepe bandages and had worn pants to conceal them, reported The Indian Express.

The Supreme Court has ruled that a woman may not be able to accuse a man of forcing sexual relations on her through a promise of marriage if the two were in a long-term live-in relationship. The man can’t be charged for rape if the couple was living together for a long period of time, the top court ruled, saying that in such cases, it is hard to determine whether the reason behind the sexual relations was just the promise of marriage, said a report by the Times of India.

The case in question was of a bank manager who was charged by his live-in partner of 16 years, a lecturer, of rape by saying that he established sexual relations with her over fake promise of marriage. The Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta quashed the criminal proceedings against the man, saying that both the parties were well-educated and were in a consensual relationship.

Stating that both the partners would visit each other even when they were posted in different towns, the top court called the case a live-in relationship gone sour, the TOI report said.

What the court said

“It is hard to believe that the complainant kept on bending to the demands of the appellant for a period of nearly 16 years without raising any protest to any quarter that the appellant was exploiting her sexually under the pretext of a false promise of marriage,” the report quoted the bench as saying.

The court also said that a long period of the relationship also pointed that there was no deceit between the two parties. “The prolonged period of 16 years during which the sexual relations continued unabatedly between the parties, is sufficient to conclude that there was never an element of force or deceit in the relationship,” the court added.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/woman-cant-claim-rape-if-she-was-in-long-term-live-in-supreme-court-101741221099922.html

A security cover comprising only women police personnel will be deployed at a mega event to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gujarat’s Navsari district on the occasion of International Women’s Day on March 8, a state minister has said.
This will be the first such initiative in the country, he said.
“The Gujarat police is taking a unique initiative on the occasion of International Women’s Day. For the first time in the history of India, only women police will handle the entire security arrangement of the PM’s event – right from his arrival at the helipad at Vansi Borsi village in Navsari till the event venue,” Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi said on Thursday.

The women police personnel will include IPS officers and constables, he said.

The prime minister will be on a two-day visit to Gujarat and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli on Friday and Saturday, during which he will address the ‘Lakhpti Didi Sammelan’ at Vansi Borsi village on March 8.
“All women police personnel, including more than 2,100 constables, 187 sub-inspectors, 61 police inspectors, 16 deputy superintendents of police, five SPs, one Inspector General of Police and one Additional DGP rank officer will handle the security that day,” he said.
Senior woman IPS officer and Home Secretary Nipuna Torawane will supervise the security arrangements, the minister said.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/all-women-security-cover-for-pm-modis-event-in-gujarat-on-womens-day-article-118774502

The United States Supreme Court rejected 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana’s ” “emergency application” opposing his extradition to India. Rana on Thursday moved an “emergency application” with the US Supreme Court against his extradition to India. In the application he had claimed that he would be tortured there since he is a Muslim of Pakistani origin.

Rana is a Canadian national of Pakistani origin. He is currently lodged at a metropolitan detention centre in Los Angeles. The Canadian national is known to be associated with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the main conspirators of the Mumbai attacks.

Rana had filed an “Emergency Application For Stay” with the Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and Circuit Justice for the Ninth Circuit.

Last month, President Donald Trump announced that his administration approved the extradition of “very evil” Rana “to face justice in India”. This followed the rejection of his review petition by the Supreme Court in January.

In that petition, Rana had argued that his extradition to India violates United States law and the United Nations Convention Against Torture “because there are substantial grounds for believing that, if extradited to India, petitioner will be in danger of being subjected to torture.”

“The likelihood of torture in this case is even higher though as petitioner faces acute risk as a Muslim of Pakistani origin charged in the Mumbai attacks,” the application had said.

The application had also stated that his “severe medical conditions” render extradition to Indian detention facilities, a “de facto” death sentence in this case.

Who Is Tahawwur Rana?

Tahawwur Hussain Rana is a Pakistani former military doctor who served in the Pakistan Army. Rana moved to Canada after gaining citizenship and became an immigration service businessman.

In 2011, he was convicted of providing support to the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and of allegedly plotting an attack on the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten.

On 17 January 2013, he was sentenced to 14 years in prison in the Danish newspaper attack case. A US court has denied the bail plea of Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack and declared a fugitive by India, asserting that he has not negated the “risk of flight”.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/2611-mumbai-terror-attack-accused-tahawwur-ranas-extradition-stay-request-rejected-by-us-court

For decades, Indian music has been synonymous with Bollywood, whose glossy soundtracks have long dominated the country’s music market. But a seismic shift is underway, led by India’s rising global music star.

Diljit Dosanjh, a 41-year-old musician, actor and producer from Punjab in northwestern India, is rewriting the formula for success in the world’s fastest-growing music market. Moving away from traditional film soundtracks with his hip-hop and rap-infused rhythms and high-profile collaborations with pop icons like Ed Sheeran and Sia, Dosanjh is breaking boundaries and amassing a massive following.

Last summer, Dosanjh made an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where he was introduced as “the biggest Punjabi performer on the planet.” He regaled fans with hits Born to Shine and G.O.A.T.

His 2024 Dil-Luminati tour sold 742,000 tickets worldwide, according to Warner Music Group, making it the biggest tour of any Indian artist. The North America and European legs drew more than 346,000 fans combined and brought in more than $44 million.

“Indian music is not just Bollywood music,” said Dosanjh, who sings in his native Punjabi, in a phone interview while touring in the Middle East. “The traditional folk music in every part of the country is supremely good. It’s unfortunate that the world so far could only get a taste of Bollywood music that is commercial.”

Dosanjh’s unique blend of musical styles, combined with his winsome personality and ubiquitous social media presence, is raising the profile of Indian music and proving to be a successful bet for his label Warner Music, a late entrant to the Indian market when it arrived in 2020.

While India ranks as the 14th-largest recorded music market, dwarfed by the the US and Japan, the influence of Indian music on global streaming charts has surged, thanks to a young and digitally savvy population. The Indian diaspora, estimated to be around 35 million and largely based in North America, the UK and the Middle East, is a major contributor to the demand for Indian music streaming and concerts. Consumption of music from India skyrocketed by more than 2,000% from 2019 to 2024, according to Spotify Technology SA.

There’s room for even more growth, according Jay Mehta, managing director of Warner Music India. The Indian music industry has a chance to double its base in the next three to four years, he said. Mehta has been exposing Indian artists to a wider, global audience by paring them up with the label’s international stars like Coldplay and One Republic.

People’s tastes have also evolved. According to Spotify, domestic fans streamed almost 70% international music on the platform when the company debuted in India in 2019, compared with 70% local music now. Punjabi tunes in particular are topping the charts, not just in India but among a global audience, according to Spotify. Dosanjh is partly responsible for that.

Over the past four years, a major change in how people consume music has taken place, “moving from a soundtrack-driven ecosystem to an artist-centric ecosystem,” Mehta said.

The shift plays to Dosanjh’s strengths—he’s a social media star who posts funny, heartfelt videos on TikTok and YouTube, encouraging engagement from fans. His online presence is a mix of humor, cultural pride, and personal moments, making him highly relatable. An avid cook, he often posts videos of himself brewing coffee or scrambling some eggs. He acknowledges his halting English is a barrier to greater reach, but still managed to convince Sheeran to sing a bit in Punjabi with him. He actively reposts fan content, creating viral sensations that amplify his brand, such as a dance challenge for his latest hit song, Water.

“Today, the digital era allows for instant global exposure,” Dosanjh said. “Any song I create has the potential to become a worldwide success overnight, thanks to this connectivity.”

The rise of artists like Dosanjh exemplifies the superfan strategy taking hold in India. Mehta has taken a page from the playbook of K-pop superstar BTS’ fan group, ARMY, to help drum up even more enthusiasm for Dosanjh and Hindi rapper King. One of the leaders of ARMY was recruited by Warner Music to spearhead social communication projects between the record label’s artists and their superfans.

This artist-driven model is boosting engagement with listeners who stream songs and buy tickets to see their favorite artists in person. The live-events business is booming in India. There were more than 30,000 concerts held in the country last year, and ticket revenue now outpaces sponsorships—a reversal of the pre-pandemic model, according to consultancy EY.

Described as having a “soulful” voice, Dosanjh’s live performances are brimming with energy, unique dancing and an engagement with the audience that has endeared him to legions of fans.

Dosanjh’s Coachella debut in 2023 marked a turning point, spotlighting Indian, non-Bollywood music on an international stage. He was the first act ever to perform at the festival entirely in Punjabi. “Music is a universal sound and universal force. You cannot limit it to one genre or category,” he said.

Since then, he has collaborated with Australian artist Sia on the Punjabi song Hass Hass, which helped elevate each artist’s profile in their home country. Sheeran joined the stage at Dosanjh’s concert in Birmingham, England, as a surprise guest for a remix of their hit track ‘Nania x Shape of You.’

Dosanjh is also an actor, best-known for the 2016 action crime film Udta Punja and Amar Singh Chamkila, a biographical drama about a Hindi singer, both available on Netflix, and Shadaa, a romantic comedy on Amazon Prime Video.

His popularity and high profile has given Dosanjh broad influence in India. In a conversation earlier this year with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he pitched an idea to hold a global music festival in India bigger than Coachella.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/features/music/indias-rising-music-star-diljit-dosanjh-is-breaking-the-bollywood-mold-3434464

Seven cyber fraudsters arrested by Gurugram cyber police over the last two months allegedly duped hundreds of people across the country for more than Rs 87 crores, officials said on Wednesday.

Police recovered Rs 7.60 lakh in cash, seven mobiles and three SIM cards from their possessions, they said.

The accused were involved in various cyber crimes, including cyber bullying, stalking, impersonation, and fraudulent investment schemes, police said.

“A total of 10,956 complaints and 399 cases are lodged against the accused across the country. Among these, 22 cases are registered in Haryana, of which six cases are in Gurugram,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police (Cyber) Priyanshu Dewan said.

All the accused were arrested in the last two months. They were identified as Sonu Kumar, Ishwar, Sunil Kumar, Pawan Kumar Sharma, Neeraj, Salim and Priya Mishra, he said.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/haryana/rs-87-crore-in-cyber-frauds-seven-held-in-gurugram-for-duping-people-3433862

Two weeks after securing bail in Rs 3,600 Agustawestland scam CBI case from the Supreme Court, British national Christian Michel James on Tuesday secured bail from the Delhi High Court in the case probed by Enforcement Directorate case too which means that he will soon come out after spending more than 6 years in Tihar jail ever since he was extradited from UK.
Granting bail in ED case, Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma wrote in the judgment: In view of the above discussion, considering the period of incarceration of about six years and two months undergone by the
applicant, and in view of the fact that he has also been granted bail in the case pertaining to predicate offence by the Hon’ble Supreme Court on the ground that the investigation has not been completed and the trial has not even begun, and considering that there seems to be no possibility of trial in this case concluding too within the remaining duration of the maximum prescribed sentence under Section 4 of PMLA, in as much as the same has not even begun as of now, this Court is inclined to grant regular bail to the present applicant.

Bail on furnishing a personal bond and surety in the sum of Rs 5,00,000/- each and on surrendering the passport before the learned Trial Court, which be not released without permission of this Court, considering that investigation qua the present applicant is still pending. The rest of the conditions be imposed by the learned Special Court, since as per order of the Hon‟ble Apex Court, the learned Trial Court has been directed to impose conditions as deemed appropriate while granting bail in predicate offence, said the High Court.

HC found merit in the argument of Michel’s lawyer Aljo K Joseph that learned Special Court erred in mechanically rejecting the bail application on the sole ground that the applicant is a flight risk, without appreciating the prolonged incarceration, the documentary nature of evidence, and the undue delay in the trial.
Referring to Adv Joseph’s arguments, HC said “It is argued that the Hon‟ble Supreme Court has
repeatedly held that bail cannot be denied solely on the apprehension of flight risk, especially when stringent conditions can be imposed to mitigate such concerns. The learned counsel for the applicant vehemently argues that during the pendency of the present bail application, the Hon’ble Supreme Court has granted bail to the applicant in the predicate offence.
Apart from Advocate Aljo K Joseph, Michel was also represented by advocates Sriram Parakkat and M S Vishnu Shankar. It is to be mentioned that Rosemary Patrizi an Italian lawyer had represented Michel as he challenged extradition to India and also was present in Delhi to brief the legal team during the initial hearings.
ED had vehemently argued Michel committed a grave economic offence of huge magnitude “The petitioner, not being a citizen of India, is a flight risk and his extradition has been obtained with extreme difficulty. It is apprehended that if the petitioner is enlarged on bail, he might flee to avoid the investigation which shall be prejudicial against the course of the proceedings.” But HC was not convinced.
Michel was arrested in December 2018 after being extradited from Dubai. He is termed as a ‘Middleman’ for the alleged illegal transactions that took place in the VVIP chopper scam.
The CBI had alleged that there was an estimated loss of Euro 398.21 million (about 2666 Crore) to the exchequer in the deal that was signed on February 8, 2010, for the supply of VVIP choppers worth Euro 556.262 million.
James had challenged the September 25 order of the Delhi High Court in the apex court, denying him bail. Before the Delhi HC, a trial court had also rejected his plea seeking release from custody.
According to CBI, the accused, who was extradited in 2018 after India won the extradition case in Dubai, is the alleged middleman in the deal. After being deported from the UAE, he is currently in Indian judicial custody.
James, in his bail plea, had argued before the top court that his detention, deportation, and custody in India were in contravention of the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and that he was already acquitted by courts in Italy on similar charges.
Last year in May, the apex court issued a notice in a similar bail application filed by James, while directing the CBI and Directorate of Enforcement to submit their replies.
This September, the Delhi HC denied bail to James stating that there were “no new grounds or substantial changes in circumstances warranting reconsideration of his bail. “The accused, if released on bail, could lead to witness tampering and or evidence manipulation in the case,” the HC noted.
His lawyers earlier also cited Section 436A of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) which allows undertrials to be released on bail if they have undergone half the sentence of the maximum punishment that they can be sentenced to if convicted.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/agustawestland-scam-after-cbi-christian-michel-gets-bail-in-ed-case-too-to-come-out-of-jail-soon-article-118715812

Fresh details have emerged in the murder case of Congress worker Himani Narwal in Haryana’s Rohtak, with police piecing together the events leading up to the crime. The accused, identified as Sachin, has been taken into custody and reportedly confessed to killing Narwal after an argument on February 28. According to police, Sachin, who ran a mobile shop in Jhajjar, was acquainted with the victim and had been in contact with her for over a year.
Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Krishan Kumar Rao said that Sachin and Himani had connected through social media and he had been visiting her residence in Vijay Nagar, Rohtak, frequently over the past several months. An HT report quoted the ADGP as saying, “On February 27 around 9 pm, Sachin visited Himani’s house and stayed overnight. The next day, an argument broke out between them over an undisclosed issue. During the altercation, Sachin tied Himani’s hands with her dupatta and strangled her using a mobile phone charger. He then stuffed her body into a suitcase along with a bloodstained quilt.”
Following the murder, Sachin took away the victim’s mobile phone, laptop, and jewellry, which he later hid at his shop in Jhajjar. “He used her scooty to transport the stolen items to his shop,” Rao added.

After securing the stolen valuables, Sachin returned to the crime scene, packed Himani’s body into a suitcase, and hired an auto-rickshaw. He got off near Sampla bus stand to mislead investigators before abandoning the suitcase. CCTV footage later surfaced, capturing him dragging the suitcase.

A bottle of Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) was seized “every four seconds” in dry Gujarat in 2024, as per the police. The law enfocers seized 82,00,000 bottles worth Rs 144 crore across the state, according to a report.
The majority of seized bottles (4,38,047 to be exact) were reported from Ahmedabad city, Ahmedabad rural, and Western Railways’ Ahmedabad jurisdiction.
Ahmedabad city alone reported 2,139 cases involving 3.06 lakh IMFL bottles. The police also registered 7,796 cases against those involved in the sale and purchase of over 1.58 lakh litres of countrymade liquor.

In Vadodara, IMFL bottles bottles worth Rs 9.8 crore were found in secret compartments of trucks and godowns, according to TOI report.

The police crackdown in Surat rural unearthed Rs 8.9 crore worth of IMFL disguised as household goods in an interstate transport racket. Navsari followed closely with the seizure of 6.23 lakh IMFL bottles. Godhra saw the seizure of Rs 8.8 crore of IMFL bottles.
Bhavnagar reported the seizure of Rs 8.7 crore worth of IMFL and countrymade liquor. The spirits were reportedly concealed in water tanks and under loads of fresh vegetables.
“For the smugglers, the raids served as a stark reminder that no matter how innovative their tactics may be, they will not be allowed to violate the law. The message is clear: There’s no room for the spirit of lawlessness in the land of Gandhi,” a senior official told TOI.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/in-dry-gujarat-liquor-seized-every-four-seconds-some-were-concealed-under-vegetables-article-118705535

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence arrested Kannada actress Ranya Rao at Bengaluru International Airport after she was found in possession of 14.8 kg of gold, officials said on Tuesday.

Following her arrest on Monday night, she was presented before an economic offences court, which remanded her to 14 days in judicial custody, they added.

According to officials, Rao had arrived from Dubai on an Emirates flight and had been under surveillance due to her frequent international travel.

Investigators revealed that she had allegedly smuggled the gold by wearing a significant portion of it and concealing gold bars in her clothing.

Authorities grew suspicious after noticing that she had travelled to Dubai four times in 15 days, prompting a targeted operation upon her return.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the actress may have attempted to use her connections to bypass customs checks.

Reports indicate that upon landing, she allegedly claimed to be the daughter of Karnataka’s Director General of Police and contacted local police personnel to escort her home.

Officials are now probing whether any law enforcement officers, including her IPS relative, were aware of her activities or were misled into assisting her. After her arrest, Rao was taken to the DRI headquarters in Bengaluru’s HBR Layout for questioning.

Authorities are investigating whether she was acting alone or was part of a larger smuggling network operating between Dubai and India.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/kannada-actor-ranya-rao-arrested-at-bengaluru-airport-for-possessing-14-8-kg-of-gold-7848402

A groom was left stunned when his bride went into labour just two days after their wedding, forcing him to rush her to the hospital. The incident unfolded in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, where a lavish wedding, filled with music, rituals, and festivities, took a shocking turn.

The groom’s family accused the bride of cleverly concealing her baby bump under her lehenga, preventing anyone from noticing.

In a viral video, the groom’s sister can be heard demanding answers from the bride, insisting she disclose the baby’s father. “She was wearing a lehenga from her waist up. So tell me, if she wears a lehenga so high, how would anyone understand? We thought maybe she was feeling cold, so she wore it that way. How were we supposed to know what she was hiding?” she says in the video.

As per reports, the groom’s family claimed that the groom and bride slept separately after the wedding, with the bride insisting they avoid contact. The groom’s sister added, “They didn’t have any physical relationship, so the bride must reveal who the child’s father is.”

The couple tied the knot on February 24, and the bride was welcomed into her new home the following day, where the customary ‘Muh Dikhai’ ceremony was performed in the presence of relatives and guests.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/viral/up-wedding-turns-scandalous-as-bride-gives-birth-2-days-after-marriage-grooms-sister-claims-she-hid-baby-bump-with-lehenga-video

Shahzadi Khan, a caregiver from Uttar Pradesh’s Banda district, was executed in the UAE on February 15 for the death of a child under her care. The news of her execution came to light during a Delhi High Court hearing on Monday when the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that she had been hanged last month.
Shahzadi, 33, was executed nearly two years after she was sentenced to death on July 31, 2023.
Shahzadi’s family alleged that she was not given justice and that the Indian government did not extend any support to the family. The family’s legal counsel, Ali Mohammad, has termed the execution an “extrajudicial killing in the guise of judicial killing”.

The Indian Embassy, in a statement, said it provided all possible legal assistance to Shahzadi, including sending mercy petitions and pardon requests to the Government of the UAE. “The UAE authorities intimated to the Embassy on February 28, 2025 that the sentence of Shahzadi has been carried out in accordance with local laws. The family of Shahzadi has been informed of the matter,” XP Division, MEA, said.

India has strongly rebutted the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHRC) over its remarks on Kashmir and Manipur, urging the global body to take a “long and hard look in the mirror” before making “sweeping and generalised remarks.” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Arindam Bagchi, dismissed the comments made by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk as “unfounded and baseless.” In his address at the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Bagchi asserted that India “continues to be a healthy, vibrant and pluralistic society.”

“As India was mentioned by name, let me begin by emphasising that the world’s largest democracy continues to be a healthy, vibrant and pluralistic society. Unfounded and baseless comments in the update contrast jarringly with ground realities,” Bagchi said, as quoted by PTI.
India took issue with Turk’s reference to “Kashmir,” stating that he had “erroneously referred to” the region instead of Jammu and Kashmir. Bagchi pointed out that the update ignored key developments, including high voter participation in provincial elections, rapid economic progress, and a thriving tourism industry.

Criticising the UNHRC’s approach, Bagchi said, “The High Commissioner has sensed a pervasive unease, but we would submit that a key element to addressing this is a long and hard look in the mirror by the Office of the High Commissioner.”

India also slammed what it called “cherry-picking of situations” and “misplaced concern,” arguing that the global update failed to provide an accurate representation of India’s democratic framework. “We would urge a better understanding of India and our civilizational ethos of diversity and openness, which continue to define our robust and often cacophonous civic space,” Bagchi added.
Turk, in his address, had expressed concerns about “violence and displacement in Manipur,” urging “stepped-up efforts to address violence and displacement in Manipur, based on dialogue, peacebuilding and human rights.” He also raised issues about “the use of restrictive laws against human rights defenders and independent journalists,” alleging a “shrinking civic space, including in Kashmir.”

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/kashmir-or-jk-india-urges-long-and-hard-look-in-the-mirror-by-unhrc-over-sweeping-remarks-article-118697191

By 2050, India could have over 440 million obese and overweight people, a global analysis published in The Lancet journal has estimated.

Number of overweight and obese adults by mid-century in India (218 million men and 231 million women) could be the second highest in the world, after China, with the US, Brazil and Nigeria expected to rank third, fourth and fifth, respectively, the findings by an international team of researchers reveal.

These researchers, including those from the Indian Council of Medical Research, collaborated for the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021.

As per the study, already almost half the world’s adults — a billion men and over a billion women aged 25 years and above — were overweight and obese in 2021. In India, the numbers were over nearly 180 million — 81 million men and 98 million women.

However, by 2050, this number globally could rise to nearly 3.8 billion — 1.8 billion men and 1.9 billion women — “over half of the likely global adult population at that time”, the authors said.

“While China, India, and the USA will continue to constitute a large proportion of the global population with overweight and obesity, the number in the sub-Saharan Africa super-region is forecasted to increase by 254.8 per cent,” they wrote.

The researchers also estimated that about 16 million boys and over 14 million girls in India, aged 5-14 years, could be overweight and obese by 2050, making it world’s second highest after China.

However, in the 15-24 age group, the world’s highest burden could come from India, with over 22 million men and nearly 17 million women in the country suffering from this health crisis in 2050.

Lead author Emmanuela Gakidou, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), University of Washington, US, which coordinates the GBD study, said, “The unprecedented global epidemic of overweight and obesity is a profound tragedy and a monumental societal failure.” The study, the “most comprehensive global analysis to date”, could help governments and the public health community “identify priority populations experiencing the greatest burdens of obesity who require immediate intervention and treatment, and those that remain predominantly overweight and should be primarily targeted with prevention strategies”, Gakidou said.

The latest estimates come against the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi making a strong pitch for combating obesity in his monthly ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radiocast on February 23.

Obesity will have to be dealt with to be a fit and healthy nation, he said.

Obesity, a body mass index (BMI) of over 30, is known to have wide-ranging effects, including raising one’s risk of metabolic and heart disease. It can also impact one’s bone health and fertility and increase cancer risk.

However, experts recently called for a more nuanced approach to measuring obesity.

In January, authors of a Lancet Commission report urged an overhaul of how obesity is diagnosed and called for a new method that looked at aspects such as waist circumference or waist-to-hip ratio, in addition to BMI.

BMI is not an honest measure of health or disease and can thus result in a wrong diagnosis, they said.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/by-2050-india-may-have-over-440-million-overweight-people-report-7842167

Amid a widespread controversy over harsh criticism and fat-shaming of Team India captain Rohit Sharma, Congress leader Shama Mohamed’s old social media post on talismanic batter Virat Kohli has resurfaced.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) in 2018, Ms Mohamed had slammed Mr Kohli, the then Indian captain, for his “those who prefer English and Australian batsmen should not live in India” remark.

Mr Kohli was embroiled in controversy when he read out messages addressed to him by fans and responded to them in November 2018. In a message sent to him, the fan had said, “I enjoy watching English and Australian batsmen more than these Indian.” The fan also called Mr Kohli an “over-rated batsman”.

“I don’t think you should live in India, go and live somewhere else. Why are you living in our country and loving other countries? I don’t mind you not liking me, but I don’t think you should live in our country and like other things. Get your priorities right,” Mr Kohli responded.

The Congress leader had then called out the Indian batter for his remark.

“Virat Kohli plays a British invented game, makes crores from endorsing foreign brands, got married in Italy, names Hershelle Gibbs his favorite cricketer and Angelique Kerber the best tennis player, but tells those who love foreign batsmen to leave India,” she said.

Her post has now gone viral, with many users saying that it looked like she has a “problem with every Indian player”.

“He (Mr Kohli) has done so much for the country,” a user wrote in the comment section of her post on Monday.

“So, it was not one one-sided arrow; rather she hates all of them,” said another user.

Shama Mohamed’s “Fat” Remark On Rohit Sharma

After India entered the Champions Trophy semifinal by defeating New Zealand on Sunday, Shama Mohamed said that Rohit Sharma, who turns 38 next month, is “fat for a sportsman”. Mr Sharma was dismissed for 15 runs off 17 balls during the match.

“Need to lose weight! And of course the most unimpressive Captain India has ever had!” she said in her posts, which were deleted after she was reprimanded by her party.

A Pakistan-based sports journalist then countered her remarks and said Mr Sharma is a “mighty effective and world-class performer”.

She then asked what was so “world-class about him” when compared to his predecessors like Saurav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Kapil Dev, Ravi Shastri and the rest.

“He is a mediocre captain as well as a mediocre player who got lucky to be the Captain of India,” she wrote.

BJP Slams Shama Mohamed

Shama Mohamed’s remarks also invited criticism from the ruling BJP, which asked if the Congress now expects Rahul Gandhi to play cricket.

“Shame on Congress! Now they are going after the Indian Cricket Captain! Do they expect Rahul Gandhi to now play cricket after failing in Indian politics?” BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said.

“It’s an insult to every patriot who supports the Indian cricket team through thick and thin. I question the Congress’s criticism,” he said.

Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also attacked Ms Mohamed and termed her comments “deeply shameful” and “outright pathetic.”

“Remarks made by leaders from these parties (Congress and Trinamool Congress), indulging in body shaming and questioning an athlete’s place in the team, are not only deeply shameful but also outright pathetic.”

“Such comments undermine the hard work and sacrifices that our sports persons make to represent the country on the global stage.” Shama caused a stir on social media with her controversial post directed at the Indian captain,” he added.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/congress-leader-shama-mohamed-old-post-on-virat-kohli-resurfaces-after-fat-shaming-rohit-sharma-amid-champions-trophy-2025-7842310

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said his government acted swiftly to control the situation after the January 29 stampede at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, ensuring timely medical aid for victims while preventing widespread panic.

Addressing a gathering of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and Indian Postal Service officials in Lucknow, Yogi Adityanath said, “We did not allow the incident to be excessively highlighted as eight crore devotees and sadhus were present in Prayagraj and the Kumbh Mela area at the time and panic could have worsened the situation.” At least 30 people were killed and 60 others injured in the stampede at the Sangam ghat on Mauni Amavasya, a key bathing day of the Maha Kumbh.

Yogi Adityanath noted that apart from millions of devotees, seers and sadhus from 13 Akhadas were also scheduled to take the ritualistic ‘Amrit Snan’ (holy dip) that morning.

He explained that two major challenges often arise in such events — determining the bathing order among the Akharas, which has historically led to disputes, and ensuring the ritual proceeds smoothly at the scheduled time of 4 AM.

Despite the tragedy, all Akhadas were prepared to go ahead with the ‘snan’, but the administration intervened to postpone the event.

“I personally requested them to delay the ritual to manage the situation,” Yogi Adityanath said, adding that officials closely monitored the crowd, evacuated the Sangam area by noon, and ensured the ‘snan’ resumed by 2:30 PM.

He underscored the importance of effective crisis management, stating, “In difficult situations, many people panic and give up, but we must develop the strength to make firm decisions with patience and control.” The chief minister also emphasised the importance of effective coordination among stakeholders, including devotees, sadhus and administrative officials.

“I personally initiated dialogues to maintain order and ensure smooth execution of the event,” he said.

“When faced with adversity, many people give up, assuming that things will take their course. However, true leadership lies in tackling challenges with composure, just as we did during Maha Kumbh to ensure its smooth execution,” he said.

The Maha Kumbh, held once every 12 years, attracts millions of pilgrims from across the world, making crowd management a critical challenge for authorities. This year, over 66 crore pilgrims attended the religious event, according to the Uttar Pradesh government which has been projecting it as a major success.

Yogi Adityanath also stressed the importance of patience and resilience in handling difficult situations, citing the successful execution of the Maha Kumbh as an example.

Speaking at the programme on “Nation-Building through the Successful Organization of Mahakumbh,” held with officials from IIM and the Indian Postal Service, he highlighted how effective crisis management ensured a smooth and orderly event.

The Chief Minister noted that Mahakumbh teaches patience and adherence to natural laws.

Referring to past reports by international media and UNESCO, the chief minister pointed out that earlier editions of Maha Kumbh were often associated with chaos, mismanagement, and filth.

“In 2019, we aimed to change that perception. When we step away from the beaten path and do something different, it becomes memorable,” he said.

Recalling an incident from the 2013 Kumbh, Yogi Adityanath said, “As a Yogi, I was at my camp in Prayagraj when I read news reports that the Prime Minister of Mauritius had visited but refused to take a dip in the Ganga due to pollution. He merely offered his prayers from a distance and left.

“This incident stayed with me. A foreign dignitary came to our sacred event and left disappointed. It meant there was a flaw in our preparations, and we needed to fix it.” Underlining the 2019 Kumbh’s emphasis on hygiene, the chief minister explained that the event site, located on sandy riverbanks, previously had unsanitary toilet arrangements.

“Sanitation facilities were makeshift, leading to unbearable stench, flies, mosquitoes, and potential disease outbreaks. We changed this by installing one lakh properly managed toilets with routine cleaning, ensuring not a single drop of sewage entered the Ganga or Yamuna,” he said.

The chief minister credited the police for their role in maintaining security and managing crowds efficiently. “For any large-scale event, crowd management is critical. A sense of safety among attendees is paramount. In 2019, we introduced special four-month training programs for police personnel to enhance their preparedness,” he added.

Discussing the 2025 Maha Kumbh, the Chief Minister acknowledged that the turnout exceeded expectations.

“We estimated that the crowd would double compared to 2019, but the actual numbers surpassed all records. This required significant expansion in event planning,” he said.

Preparations for 2025 included expanding the fairgrounds, increasing infrastructure, and designating parking and holding areas across neighbouring districts like Mirzapur, Bhadohi, Kaushambi, Jaunpur, Fatehpur, Pratapgarh, Chitrakoot, and Rae Bareli.

“In 2013, a stampede at the railway station claimed 42 lives. Learning from that, we expanded not just the main Prayagraj Junction but nine other railway stations and the airport,” he said.

Yogi Adityanath stressed that religious gatherings are inherently disciplined.

“During the 2025 Mahakumbh, a minor stampede occurred between 1:15 AM and 1:30 AM on January 28-29, while over four crore people were present at the venue. Yet, within 15 minutes, people voluntarily created a green corridor, allowing medical teams to reach the injured,” he noted.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the economic benefits of such large-scale religious events. “Maha Kumbh contributes significantly to the economy. It provides employment opportunities and supports various businesses. Previously overlooked, its economic impact is now being recognised,” he said.

Maha Kumbh 2025 was held from January 13 (Paush Purnima) to February 26 (Maha Shivaratri), marking the first time the fair lasted until Maha Shivaratri.

“In past editions, the event would wind down after Basant Panchami, leaving only Kalpvasis. This time, daily attendance after Mauni Amavasya ranged from 1.5 to 1.75 crore people. On Basant Panchami, around three crore people participated, while on Magh Purnima, the count was two crore,” he explained.

Highlighting international participation, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, “The event saw visits of the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, governors, chief ministers, 74 ambassadors and high commissioners, Bhutan’s King, 12 foreign ministers, and representatives from over 100 countries. Business leaders, film stars, and cricketers also took part.” The CM mentioned UNESCO’s interest in studying Mahakumbh’s environmental impact. “We ensured that no sewage or industrial waste entered the Ganga.” “In Kanpur, four crore litres of sewage used to flow into the river daily. We had it sealed off three years ago. Today, not a single drop enters the Ganga,” he said.

Yogi Adityanath highlighted Maha Kumbh’s role in national unity, infrastructure development, and environmental conservation, aligning with PM Narendra Modi’s vision of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.” He emphasised that the event transcended caste, religion, and language barriers, bringing millions together in devotion.

The Uttar Pradesh government invested Rs 7,500 crore, with Rs 6,000 crore allocated for infrastructure in Prayagraj and surrounding areas. “This ensured better connectivity, sanitation, and essential facilities for pilgrims,” Yogi Adityanath noted.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/maha-kumbh-stampede-yogi-adityanath-on-why-kumbh-stampede-was-not-excessively-highlighted-7838970

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin warned people that the state’s parliamentary representation may be reduced because of population-based delimitation

In the wake of the Union government’s delimitation plans, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday appealed the people of his state to immediately produce children while emphasising that the successful family planning measures of the citizens can now prove to be a disadvantage for the state.

Stalin warned people that Tamil Nadu’s political representation could be impacted by population-based delimitation and appealed them to keep their egos aside and listen to his call.

“I urge them to attend as well. Please set aside ego. Don’t think why should you listen to my call,” said Stalin, adding that this is a pressing issue for the state.

Speaking about the changing demographic scenario, Stalin said, “Earlier we used to say, take your time and have a baby. But now the situation has changed, and we should say it now.”

He said that the issue is concerning because delimitation is likely to be implemented on the basis of population census figures. “We implemented family planning successfully, and now we are facing such a situation,” Stalin said.

Re-emphasising his stance, the chief minister urged the newlyweds to have babies soon after their marriage so that the state could have a good political representation after the delimitation.

“But now with schemes such as delimitation that the Union Government is planning to implement, we cannot say that. We focused on family planning, but we were pushed into a situation such as this. So I would now urge newlyweds to immediately have babies and give them good Tamil names.

Stalin has called for an all-party meeting on March 5 where the issue of delimitation would be discussed.

He has said that 40 political parties registered with the Election Commission will take part in the meeting to discuss the implications of constituency delimitation, which he has called a “sword dangling over Tamil Nadu”.

“They are trying to implement delimitation which will reduce the number of Lok Sabha seats to Tamil Nadu. I have convened an all-party meeting on March 5 to discuss our stand on delimitation. Forty registered with the Election Commission have been invited. A majority of them have said yes, a few are skipping it. But they should understand that this is not a problem of DMK, it is a problem for the entire state. So I urge everyone again to stand together for the welfare of this state and its rights,” Stalin said.

Source : https://www.news18.com/politics/immediately-have-babies-mk-stalins-fresh-appeal-to-tamilians-in-the-face-of-delimitation-9247756.html

A CCTV footage was released by the authorities on Monday (March 3) in which accused Sachin is seen carrying the suitcase in which the dead body of Congress worker Himani Narwal was stuffed. The Haryana Congress worker was murdered by the accused identified as Sachin with the wire of a mobile charger and her dead body was dumped in a suitcase on the highway near Sampla bus stand in Rohtak.

The police have confirmed that the person who is seen in the CCTV footage dragging the suitcase is Sachin and that he has confessed to his crime on Monday after his arrest.

The police revealed the details of the crime after the investigation. The police said that 32-year-old Sachin strangled Himani Narwal (22) with a wire of a mobile phone charger on Thursday (February 27) after a fight at her residence which is located in the Vijay Nagar area of Rohtak in Haryana.

The police further stated that the accused dumped the dead body of the victim in a suitcase on the highway which is located near the Sampla bus stand and fled the spot. However, the accused was caught on the CCTV camera installed in the area while dragging the dead body after stuffing it in the suitcase which was recovered by the police later.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/himani-narwal-murder-case-cctv-footage-captures-accused-sachin-carrying-suitcase-with-congress-workers-dead-body 

A 67-year-old Indian-origin nurse, Leela Lal, was severely beaten by a psychiatric patient at Palms West Hospital in Florida. The accused, 33-year-old Stephen Scantlebury, has been charged with attempted second-degree murder with a hate crime enhancement.

According to reports, the attack occurred on Tuesday while Scantlebury was being held under the Baker Act, a law that allows for involuntary hospitalisation of individuals experiencing mental health crises. Witnesses stated that Scantlebury was lying on his hospital bed on the third floor when he suddenly jumped up and launched a violent assault on Lal, punching her repeatedly, according to the arrest affidavit quoted by WPBF, a local news channel.

Details On The Brutal Attack

The assault was so vicious that Lal is expected to lose her eyesight. Nearly every bone in her face was fractured and she had to be airlifted to a trauma center for emergency treatment. The arrest affidavit confirmed the extent of her injuries, stating, “Essentially every bone in the victim’s face is broken, and the victim is likely to lose the use of both eyes.”

Days after Manav Sharma, a techie in a private company, died by suicide in Uttar Pradesh’s Agra, another video of his wife Nikita Sharma surfaced online. In the undated clip, Nikita could be seen admitting to having sex with a man named Abhishek before marriage. She also revealed that her maternal uncle also forced him on her. Nikita also said that she never told this to Manav despite being asked several times just to save her marriage.

“It’s wrong. I did have sex. I told Manav about Abhishek before marriage. But I never told him that I had sex. I told him after marriage as he asked me many times. I was scared that I might lose Manav. As soon as he came into my life, I cut all my contacts. My ‘mama’ (maternal uncle) also forced me, which was very wrong,” Nikita could be heard in the undated video.

Nikita Sharma’s Undated Video Clip:

“I know, I have made a lot of mistakes. I lied to Manav, I didn’t tell him. But only because I didn’t want to ruin our marriage. Manav never harmed me or hit me. I love him a lot. For these mistakes, I will accept whatever punishment he gives me. But it was my past. I didn’t even see any boy with Manav. I don’t want to bring anyone into my life. Now I have told Manav everything about my life. And I feel very guilty,” she said.

Nikita also claimed that Manav’s father never asked for a dowry and her in-laws are very nice people. In the end, she said if she ever commits suicide, nobody will be responsible for it.

“If anything happens to me, If I commit suicide or anything happens to me, then no one has any responsibility. I will do whatever I want. I am sorry, Manav. I was wrong,” she stated,

It is not clear whether the video was recorded before Manav’s death.

Nikita Sharma’s Video After Manav’s Death:

Bengaluru-based EV major Ola Electric Mobility Ltd has carried out layoffs, letting go of around 1,000 employees, citing “restructuring” and “automation” as reasons.

The company has eliminated “redundant roles”, an Ola spokesperson confirmed to DH on Monday.

“We have restructured and automated our front-end operations delivering improved margins, reduced cost, and enhanced customer experience while eliminating redundant roles for better productivity,” the spokesperson said.

These layoffs began in December and have now been completed, sources said. This was around the same time Ola Electric underwent a large expansion, opening 4,000 new stores across India.

The layoffs comprised both employees and contract workers spanning multiple departments, including procurement, fulfillment, customer relations, charging infrastructure, in addition to front-end sales, service and warehouse staff at Ola’s showrooms and service centers, according to a report by Bloomberg.

Ola Electric’s shares declined by about 5 per cent during the day, hitting a new all-time low. The stock closed 3 per cent down at Rs 55.12 a share. The company’s public listing was in August.

This also marks Ola’s second round of mass layoffs. Last November, the company had cut around 500 jobs. Ola also saw a series of top-level exits in 2024, the latest being in December.

In the third quarter of the current fiscal (ended December 31, 2024), Ola saw a drop in revenue to Rs 1,069 crore, from Rs 1,336 crore in the same quarter in 2023. The company reported a 50 per cent widening of losses for Q3.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/business/companies/ola-cuts-1-000-jobs-says-eliminating-redundant-roles-3430127

The Supreme Court on Monday allowed YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, better known as BeerBiceps, to resuming hosting his podcast, The Ranveer Show, provided he ensures that it does not breach general standards of morality and decency.

A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and NK Singh passed the order on a petition filed by Allahbadia after he faced multiple criminal cases across the country for controversial remarks made by him and others part of a judges’ panel for an episode of India’s Got Latent.

The Court had earlier granted him interim protection from arrest on several conditions, including that he cannot appear in any show.

Today, his counsel, Advocate Abhinav Chandrachud argued that this condition was affecting not only Allahbadia’s livelihood but also those of his 280-odd employees.

The Court took note of the concern and told Allahbadia that he may resume his podcast, provided that the podcast content does not contain any vulgar content.

“As of now petitioners were restrained from airing any shows. Subject to the petitioner furnishing an undertaking that his podcast shows will maintain the desired standards of morality and decency so that viewers of any age group can watch, the petitioner is permitted to resume the Ranveer Show,” the Court ordered.

The Court today also hinted that it may expand the scope of the present case to examine whether some regulation should be put in place to prevent similar instances of obscene speech being broadcast.

The Court asked Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta to suggest measures to do this without infringing on the Constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech and expression.

“We have requested SG to deliberate upon and suggest such measures which shall not impinge the fundamental right of free speech and expression but also be effective enough to ensure that it is within bounds of Article 19(4) of the Constitution. Any draft regulatory measures shall be brought in the public domain to invite suggestions from all stakeholders before taking any legislative or judicial measure in this regard. We are inclined to expand the scope of this proceeding,” the Court said.

The controversial episode of India’s Got Latent under scrutiny now before the top court was shot on November 14, 2024, at Khar Habitat but aired more recently.

Apart from Allahbadia, YouTuber Ashish Chanchlani had also approached the top court seeking to quash an FIR filed against him in Assam, arguing that a similar FIR was first registered in Mumbai.

He had alternatively requested for the transfer of the FIR to Mumbai. The Gauhati High Court had earlier granted him anticipatory bail.

During the last hearing of the matter, the Supreme Court had sharply criticized Ranveer Allahbadia over the obscene remarks made in the show, stating that his language was degrading and reflective of a “perverted mind.”

The Bench had also questioned whether unrestricted vulgarity could be defended as artistic expression and remarked that the words used were deeply offensive to society, parents and women.

Nevertheless, it had granted interim protection to Allahbadia but barred him from doing any show.

The Court today allowed him to resume his show thereby, relaxing the condition set earlier.

Pertinently, the Court said it was inclined to expand the scope of the case to examine the boundaries of permissible free speech.

The Court took note of a submission by SG Mehta that some regulatory measures may be required to prevent the telecast of programmes that breach known norms of Indian society.

SG Mehta, who appeared for the governments of Maharashtra, Assam and Rajasthan argued that the remarks in focus were not just vulgar, but perverse.

“Humour is one thing, vulgarity is one thing, and perversity is another level,” he added.

“We hope he (Allahbadia) may have repentance for what he has done. Now, on his own channel.. he will not use any language.. which does not violate moral fabric of society…irrespective of age group,” the Bench replied.

SG Mehta added that he would not object to any such direction by the Court, but added that something needs to be done on the larger aspect of curbing obscene content on public shows.

“Something needs to be done. Some guidelines needs to be laid. Our notions of morality are far different from other countries. in US burning flag is a fundamental right under first amendment and it is a criminal offence here,” SG Mehta said.

The Bench agreed that the matter may need a closer look.

“We don’t want any regulatory regime which is about censorship.. but it is also cannot be a free for all platform,” Justice Kant added.

The judge went on to observe that humour and obscenity do not have to go hand in hand.

“There is a person who is now 75 and does a humourous show.. you should see how it is done. Full family can watch it. That is what talent is. Using filthy language is not talent. There is element of creativity and talent,” Justice Kant said.

“There are so many comedians who employ good behavior and critique the government strongly,” SG Mehta said, in turn.

The Bench agreed with SG Mehta that some measure should be put in place, although it should not amount to censorship.

Source : https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/supreme-court-allows-ranveer-allahabadia-to-resume-the-ranveer-show

A 19-year-old NEET aspirant from Viluppuram allegedly died by suicide after her father scolded her over an OTP mistake while applying for an Other Backward Class (OBC) certificate. According to reports, the student’s father had gone to a government centre to complete the application process. When he called her for the OTP, she gave him the wrong code twice. Though he eventually managed to submit the application, he allegedly reprimanded her after returning home.
Initial reports suggested that exam pressure led to her death, but police have denied this, as per a report in NDTV.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/suicide-over-wrong-otp-neet-aspirants-death-raises-questions-article-118670959

The Haryana Police on Monday arrested one accused in connection with the brutal murder of Congress worker Himani Narwal, whose body was found stuffed in a suitcase near a bus stand in Rohtak on Saturday. The accused, Sachin, has confessed to the crime, citing a monetary dispute between them as the reason for the killing.

According to an exclusive confession statement accessed by Times Now, Sachin admitted to being in a relationship with Himani. On February 28, just before she was supposed to attend a Congress meeting, he met her, and an argument followed. In a fit of rage, he strangulated her and later decided to stuff her body into her own suitcase.
The case has sparked outrage, with Himani’s family demanding strict action against the accused. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the matter, and the police have recovered her phone for further investigation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi went on a lion safari at Gir Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat’s Junagadh district on Monday morning, on the occasion of the World Wildlife Day, during his tour of the state.

In a post on X, PM Modi emphasised the importance of protecting our planet’s biodiversity, stressing that every species plays a crucial role.

“Today, on #WorldWildlifeDay, let’s reiterate our commitment to protect and preserve the incredible biodiversity of our planet. Every species plays a vital role—let’s safeguard their future for generations to come! We also take pride in India’s contributions towards preserving and protecting wildlife,” he wrote on X.

Modi had a night halt at Sinh Sadan, a forest guest house managed by the state forest department, in Sasan after his arrival from Somnath where he offered prayers at the Lord Shiv temple, the first among 12 jyotirlingas, on Sunday evening.

From Sinh Sadan, the PM went on the lion safari, with some ministers and senior forest department officials accompanying him.

At Sasan Gir, the headquarters of the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, the prime minister will also chair the seventh meeting of the National Board for Wildlife.

The NBWL has 47 members, including the Chief of Army Staff, members from different states, representatives from NGOs working in this field, chief wildlife wardens and secretaries from various states.

After the meeting, Modi will also interact with some women forest staffers at Sasan.

The central government has approved more than Rs 2,900 crore for Project Lion, meant for the conservation of Asiatic lions for which Gujarat is the only abode, stated a government release.

Currently, the Asiatic lions inhabit nearly 30,000 square kilometres across 53 talukas in 9 districts of Gujarat, it said.

Additionally, as part of a national project, a National Referral Center for Wildlife is being established on over 20.24 hectares of land at New Pipalya in Junagadh district, it said.

A high-tech monitoring centre for wildlife tracking and a state-of-the-art hospital have also been set up in Sasan to strengthen conservation efforts, the release said.

On Sunday, Modi also visited Vantara, an animal rescue, conservation and rehabilitation centre located at the Reliance Jamnagar refinery complex.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/pm-modi-goes-on-lion-safari-at-gir-wildlife-sanctuary-on-world-wildlife-day-9247413.html

Foreign liquor in Chhattisgarh is set to get cheaper after the state government decided to scrap ‘additional excise duty’ of 9.5 per cent imposed on them, an official said.

As a result, the retail prices of foreign liquor, particularly in the medium and high-range categories, will drop by approximately Rs 40 to Rs 3,000 per bottle, he added.

The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Sunday evening, he said.

“The cabinet approved the Chhattisgarh Excise Policy for the financial year 2025-26. As per the new policy, the 674 liquor shops will continue to be functional in the next financial year and the premium shops will be operated as per requirement,” the public relations department official said.

“For supply of country liquor the existing rate offer will continue to remain effective. The wholesale procurement and distribution of foreign liquor will continue to be managed by Chhattisgarh State Beverages Corporation Limited. Infrastructure development fee on liquor will remain unchanged, while ‘additional excise duty’ of 9.5% on retail foreign liquor will be scrapped in the next financial year,” he said.

The decision is expected to bring two major benefits, including foreign liquor in Chhattisgarh becoming affordable and curbing smuggling of liquor from other states, the official said.

“The government believes when liquor prices remain uniform, there will be no incentive for illegal imports. This move will not only benefit the state’s revenue but also help maintain market stability,” the official added.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/foreign-liquor-to-get-cheaper-as-additional-excise-duty-scrapped-in-chhattisgarh-7832332

Praising India’s distinctive approach to education and scientific research, Brian Greene, a renowned theoretical physicist, author, and professor of mathematics and physics at Columbia University, emphasised the enthusiasm and ambition of Indian students to make a global impact.

“The passion for science and innovation that I have witnessed in India is unparalleled. The energy and curiosity among students here are truly inspiring,” Greene said during his visit to the Taj Mahal, as quoted by the Ministry of Culture.

Praising India’s distinctive approach to education and scientific research, he emphasized the enthusiasm and ambition of Indian students to make a global impact.

“India is even more beautiful from the ground,” remarked former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino, who has observed the country from space.

Expressing his admiration for India’s aesthetic appeal, he lauded the exceptional craftsmanship of the Taj Mahal, calling it a testament to India’s rich legacy of engineering and design, the statement said.

Greene and Mike Massimino are currently on a visit to India, immersing themselves in the country’s rich scientific, educational, and cultural heritage.

As part of their visit, they explored the iconic Taj Mahal, where they shared their admiration for India’s advancements in science, engineering, and craftsmanship, as per the statement.

Greene is celebrated for his groundbreaking contributions to superstring theory, including the co-discovery of mirror symmetry and the discovery of spatial topology change.

Mike Massimino, a veteran of two NASA space missions, holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and currently serves as a professor of mechanical engineering at Columbia University. As the first astronaut to tweet from space, he has played a significant role in space exploration, particularly in the Hubble Space Telescope servicing missions in 2002 and 2009, the Ministry stated.

Dr. Brian Greene, a distinguished physicist, and Mike Massimino, a former NASA astronaut, recently visited the Taj Mahal.

Throughout his career, Massimino has been honored with multiple NASA Space Flight Medals, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, and the American Astronautical Society’s Flight Achievement Award. He currently serves as the Senior Advisor for Space Programs at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/india-even-more-beautiful-from-ground-ex-nasa-astronaut-brian-greene-visits-taj-mahal-7832459

Two key civil society organisations of Manipur’s Meitei community have thanked Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla for their recent decisions aimed at bringing peace in the violence-hit state bordering Myanmar.

Meitei Alliance, the global umbrella body of Meitei civil society organisations, in a statement commended four particular points – dismantling the drug trade network, ensuring free movement on roads and highways, taking action against extortionists, and accelerating border-fencing work.

“We deeply appreciate the decisive leadership of the Honourable Home Minister of India, and Governor of Manipur whose recent directives mark a significant step toward restoring safety, security, and social harmony in the region,” the Meitei Alliance said.

“One of the most crucial outcomes of this initiative has been the return of arms by civilians, who had taken up weapons to protect themselves, their families, and their communities against external Kuki terrorist threats. This act reflects a renewed trust in the central government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of all citizens and preventing militant groups from targeting innocent civilians,” it said.

The Meitei Alliance said the Union Home Minister’s order to guarantee free movement for the public on all roads in Manipur from March 8 will be a step toward restoring Manipur’s “age-old, multi-ethnic, and pluralistic society.”

“It will also help revive the state’s ailing economy,” the Meitei Alliance said, referring to the Centre’s order to ensure obstacles and illegal ‘check posts’ are removed from roads and highways, and take action against those who try to obstruct free movement of civilians.

“Furthermore, the Meitei Alliance is committed to engaging with various communities in Manipur to gain a deeper understanding of their perspectives and explore pathways for peaceful coexistence. Dialogue, mutual respect, and cooperation are essential in shaping a united and prosperous Manipur for future generations,” it said.

Manipur came under President’s rule after Chief Minister N Biren Singh and his council of ministers resigned on February 9, after which the Governor placed the assembly in suspended animation, or MLAs active but without powers, following the imposition of the President’s rule.

The Association of Meiteis in the Americas (AMA) in a statement asked the government to go a step further by implementing complete disarmament for a gun-free Manipur.

“The presence of illegal arms has fueled violence, disrupted harmony, and hindered the path to progress. Disarming all armed groups regardless of affiliation, is essential in rebuilding the trust, restoring law and order, and making Manipur great again,” AMA said.

“The people of Manipur deserve to live without fear, and we believe that a comprehensive disarmament strategy, along with the initiatives announced, will pave the way for lasting peace and prosperity,” it said.

Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla extended the one-week deadline for people from all communities to deposit looted and illegally held weapons till March 6. The previous deadline ended on February 27, the day Arambai Tenggol (AT) surrendered a large quantity of firearms to the security forces.

The AT members also met Governor Bhalla before the deadline ended, and agreed to hand over weapons on the condition that the security forces take full responsibility for civilians’ safety, and stop the firing from bunkers on hilltops dominated by the Kuki tribes.

The AT says it is a cultural organisation that was compelled to take up arms as “village volunteers” due to ineffective law enforcement in the early days of the ethnic violence; it says lack of law enforcement led to Meitei villages in the foothills coming under attacks from Kuki militants.

The Kuki tribes, however, have alleged the AT launched attacks on their villages along the inter-district borders after the first wave of clashes in May 2023, which forced the Kuki tribes to take up arms and form village defence forces.

Many AT members including its chief Korounganba Khuman are named as accused in police cases and those being handled by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/meitei-groups-seek-gun-free-manipur-thank-amit-shah-governor-ajay-kumar-bhalla-for-peace-initiatives-7832773

Four more bodies were found on Sunday at the site of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) project in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, which was struck by an avalanche on Friday.

This takes the death toll in the avalanche to eight, with four bodies having already been found on Saturday.

There were 54 workers at the project site when the avalanche buried the containers that the workers were using as living quarters. Forty-six of them were safely rescued.

Eight helicopters, including five from the Army, two from the Air Force and one civilian helicopter hired by the Army, have evacuated all rescued persons from Mana Post, near the avalanche site, to Joshimath Military Hospital.

The State Disaster Management Authority said that of the 46 rescued workers, 44 were admitted to the military hospital in Joshimath and are in stable condition. “Proper medical arrangements have been made for their treatment, and all their needs are being taken care of,” the SDMA said.

Two workers are undergoing treatment at AIIMS Rishikesh, and their condition is improving, the administration said.

Earlier on Sunday, while the search was still ongoing, Lt Colonel Manish Srivastava talked of the hi-tech equipment being deployed in the operation. “A drone-based ‘intelligent buried object detection system’ has been airlifted from Delhi, and via Dehradun, has reached Joshimath by MI-17 (a helicopter) to assist the search and rescue operations,” he said. Five quad copters and three mini drones were also deployed by the Army in the search.

The eight dead were identified as Mohinder Pal and Harmesh Chand from Himachal Pradesh; Jitender Singh, Manjeet Yadav, Alok Yadav, and Ashok Paswan from Uttar Pradesh; and Anil Kumar and Arvind Kumar Singh from Uttarakhand.

‘If only he had returned’

For their families, the news of their deaths came as a tragic conclusion to a panic-filled couple of days.

Ishwari Prasad, father of 23-year-old Anil Kumar from Sitarganj village of Udham Singh Nagar district, made frantic phone calls after learning of the avalanche and was initially told that his son was safe. However, on Sunday morning, Prasad learnt that Anil was among those still missing. Later in the day, Anil was confirmed dead.

“(Initially) I was informed that Anil was safe and in a hospital in Joshimath. The next day, newspapers carried articles saying he was safe. However, when I asked the authorities to help me connect with him, they could not do so,” he said.