Category: India

The case has been registered at the Ranjit Avenue police station under the Amritsar Police Commissionerate.

Shortly after Punjab transport and jails minister Laljit Singh Bhullar resigned from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government following his alleged link to a suicide case, a case was registered against him and his father under the charges of ‘abetment of suicide’.

Bhullar stepped down from his post on Saturday after his name surfaced in the controversy related to the alleged suicide of a district manager of the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation in Amritsar. The district manager, who allegedly consumed a poisonous substance, claimed he had taken the extreme step out of fear of Bhullar.

A first information report (FIR) was registered against Bhullar, his father, Sukhdev Singh Bhullar, and another aide in the case, said Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, Commissioner of Police, Amritsar. Charges under Sections 109, 351(3) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita have been imposed.

The case has been registered at the Ranjit Avenue police station under the Amritsar Police Commissionerate. Another official stated that the decision regarding the FIR against Bhullar was taken at midnight.

Bhullar’s resignation as the transport and jails minister makes him the third minister directly linked to criminal or ethical misconduct to be shown the door in the Bhagwant Mann-led government.

What led to Bhullar’s resignation, FIR

The resignation and an FIR against the Punjab minister comes amid allegations of abetment of suicide of a state warehousing corporation official.

Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, the district manager of the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation in Amritsar, allegedly took his own life after consuming a poisonous substance at around 7 am on Saturday.

A video surfaced on social media on Saturday in which Randhawa was purportedly heard saying that he had consumed some poisonous substance and accused the transport minister of harassment.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hours-after-resignation-fir-against-punjab-minister-laljit-singh-bhullar-sukhdev-bhullar-abetment-charges-suicide-case-101774146204196.html

Addressing reporters, Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, however, clarified that the measure is temporary and assured that the deferred amounts would be returned once the financial situation improves.

Facing a severe financial crunch, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday announced a temporary delay of a portion of salaries across the political executive and senior bureaucracy, with 50 per cent of his own salary, 30 per cent of Deputy CM and cabinet ministers’ salaries, and 20 per cent of MLAs’ salaries to be deferred for the next six months.

Sukhu made the announcement during the presentation of the state budget for the 2026-27 financial year. It comes after the discontinuation of the revenue deficit grant, which has put additional pressure on the state’s finances.

Addressing reporters later, the Himachal CM, however, clarified that the measure is temporary and assured that the deferred amounts would be returned once the financial situation improves. “This is only a temporary deferment, and the amount will be returned as soon as the state’s financial condition improves,” he said.

The delay will also apply to political appointees and top bureaucrats. A 20 per cent cut has been announced for chairpersons, vice-chairpersons and deputy chairpersons of boards and corporations as well as advisors. Among officials, a 30 per cent deferment will apply to the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, the Director General of Police and Additional DGPs.

Furthermore, 20 per cent of salaries of Secretaries, Heads of Departments, IGs, DIGs, SSPs and equivalent ranks will be delayed, while Group A and Group B officers will see a 3 per cent deferment for six months.

Sukhu said that Group C and Group D employees have been exempted from the measure and will continue to receive their full salaries.

Despite the monetary strain, the budget includes multiple relief measures. The monthly salary of non-regularised medical officers has been hiked from Rs 33,600 to Rs 40,000. Meanwhile, the salaries of staff nurses, lab technicians, pharmacists and operation theatre technicians have been rationalised to a flat Rs 25,000.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/himachal-pradesh/story/himachal-pradesh-sukhwinder-singh-sukhu-chief-minister-ministers-salaries-delayed-deferred-six-months-portions-financial-crunch-state-budget-2885337-2026-03-21

The FIR was lodged at the Ranjit Avenue Police Station in Amritsar following a complaint filed by the deceased’s wife, Upinder Kaur, who accused the trio of sustained harassment, physical assault, mental torture and coercion that allegedly drove her husband to take his own life.

Punjab Police on Saturday lodged an FIR against former minister Laljit SIngh Bhaullar, his father Sukhdev Singh Bhullar, and his personal assistant (PA) in connection with the suicide of Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, an employee of the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation in Amritsar.

The FIR was lodged at the Ranjit Avenue Police Station in Amritsar following a complaint filed by the deceased’s wife, Upinder Kaur, who accused the trio of sustained harassment, physical assault, mental torture and coercion that allegedly drove her husband to take his own life.

Randhawa, who was posted as a District Manager in Amritsar, died during treatment at a private hospital on Friday after he consumed a poisonous substance in a bid to take his own life. Before his death, Randhawa recorded a 12-second video in which he blamed the former minister for forcing him to take the drastic step.

Before the FIR was eventually lodged against the AAP MLA, Shiromani Akali Dal, Congress & BJP leaders came together to protest outside the Police Station.

Randhawa’s death sparked a major political controversy in the state, forcing Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to sack Bhullar, who held the jail and transport portfolios.

CM Mann also ordered Punjab Chief Secretary KAP Sinha to investigate the circumstances leading to Randhawa’s death, adding that losing an officer to political pressure would not be tolerated.

OPPOSITION SLAMS MANN GOVERNMENT

Meanwhile, Opposition parties said they would “gherao” the Chief Minister’s residence on Sunday, demanding strict action against Bhullar.

SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia called Bhullar’s resignation an “eyewash” and demanded a CBI probe into the matter. “The government is indulging in drama and Bhullar could be given a clean chit within days. If the government is serious about justice, it should register a murder case under Section 302,” the SAD leader said.

Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar claimed that Chief Minister Mann no longer had any moral basis to remain in power and sought Bhullar’s immediate arrest. “Earlier, people in Punjab were dying by suicide due to their inability to pay extortion money. Now, even government officers are being forced to take their lives as they can’t meet ministers’ demands,” Jakhar added.

Congress leaders Partap Singh Bajwa, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Gurjeet Aujla also met Randhawa’s family in Amritsar on Saturday.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/fir-against-punjab-aap-minister-after-officer-alleges-harassment-before-killing-self-2885385-2026-03-22

At an Eid event in Kolkata, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee called PM Narendra Modi the “biggest infiltrator” and accused the BJP of trying to influence upcoming Assembly elections. She pledged to protect voter rights in the state, slammed the party as “traitors,” and criticized Modi’s narrative on Hindu-Muslim issues, drawing sharp political lines ahead of polls.

Attending an Eid event at Kolkata’s Red Road area, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday had called Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘biggest infiltrator’.

Mamata also mentioned that the SIR exercise was part of a larger effort to influence upcoming Assembly elections.

“BJP hatao, Desh Bhachao. Modi and his party leaders are the biggest infiltrators. Those who are targeting Bengal will go to hell. I have been to the Supreme Court to move against the exercise. We will neither allow BJP nor Modi to take away the voting rights of the genuine voters,” said Mamata.

Notably, infiltrators issue is a major poll plank for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as in several public rallies both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over infiltration issue in the state.

Taking further potshots at Modi, Mamata stated that BJP is the party of ‘traitors’.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/west-bengal-cm-mamata-banerjee-calls-pm-modi-biggest-infiltrator-vows-to-protect-bengal-voters

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of acting as BJP’s “B-team” ahead of Assembly polls. He claimed Rahul’s positions have helped the BJP and weakened opposition unity. Vijayan also said the BJP will not win a single seat in the state as the LDF seeks a third straight term.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has slammed Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and accused him of “effectively acting as the leader of BJP’s B-team.”

Speaking to India Today just ahead of the state polls, the CM said, “Rahul Gandhi is effectively acting as the leader of BJP’s B-team. That is the experience of the country. His positions have repeatedly helped the BJP,” he said.

Vijayan claimed that the Congress weakened opposition unity in states like Delhi and Haryana. He also pointed to the party’s stance towards the Arvind Kejriwal-led government, alleging a lack of consistent support.

“BJP will not win single seat”

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to Iranian FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi amid the West Asia conflict, discussing recent developments and regional impact. He also conveyed Nowruz and Eid greetings. Separately, PM Narendra Modi spoke to Iran’s President, condemning attacks on infrastructure and stressing secure shipping routes.

Amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday spoke to his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi and conveyed greetings for Nowruz and Eid.

Notably, this is the fifth time the leaders have spoken since the conflict began on 28 February. During the discussion, they talked about recent developments and their wider regional impact.

Taking to X, the EAM wrote, “Spoke this evening to FM @araghchi of Iran. Conveyed greetings for Navroz and Eid. Our conversation was on the latest developments regarding the conflict. And its implications for the larger region.”

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Spoke this evening to FM @araghchi of Iran. Conveyed greetings for Navroz and Eid.

Our conversation was on the latest developments regarding the conflict. And its implications for the larger region.

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 21, 2026

The conversation comes hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a discussion with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, extending greetings on the occasions of Eid and Nowruz and expressing hope for peace, stability, and prosperity across West Asia.

During the call, PM Modi strongly condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, warning that such actions threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains.

Taking to X PM Modi wrote,“Spoke with President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian and conveyed Eid and Nowruz greetings. We expressed hope that this festive season brings peace, stability and prosperity to West Asia. Condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, which threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains.”

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/west-asia-war-eam-jaishankar-speaks-to-iranian-counterpart-araghchi-discusses-conflicts-implications-for-wider-region

 

Astrologer Ashok Kharat is accused of raping a woman and exploiting several others. State women’s commission chief Rupali Chakankar resigned after outrage over her alleged links with him.

The fallout from the scandal surrounding astrologer Ashok Kharat – accused of raping a woman and exploiting several others – has reached a boiling point, claiming its first major casualty.

Rupali Chakankar, an NCP leader who served as the chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women, resigned from the post on Friday following a direct intervention by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. However, the political tremors have not subsided and the spotlight has shifted to NCP Maharashtra President Sunil Tatkare, with the opposition and some within his own party demanding his resignation.

Chakankar’s resignation followed outrage over photos and videos of her with Kharat, a former Merchant Navy officer who was known as ‘Captain’. One image showed her holding an umbrella for him and, in a video, she was allegedly seen washing his feet. While she cited “moral responsibility” and a desire for a transparent probe, the move is widely seen as a forced, strategic retreat by the ruling Mahayuti government to manage optics.

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sushma Andhare has claimed Chakankar is just the tip of the iceberg of an organised crime network, and the focus has now shifted to Tatkare.

The NCP president is also facing attacks from within, and party leader Sangeeta Tiwari has openly accused him of actively shielding Chakankar. Tiwari alleged that both he and Chakankar were aware of the “rituals” carried out by Kharat to exploit women, but provided him with political cover.

Tatkare and Chakankar’s photos have also reportedly begun disappearing from official NCP banners in Pune, signalling a potential distancing by the party high command.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ashok-kharat-sunil-tatkare-rupali-chakankar-after-womens-panel-chief-calls-for-ncp-state-chief-to-quit-over-maharashtra-astrologer-scandal-11248714?pfrom=home-ndtv_topstories

The cap had been imposed after ticket prices rose following the IndiGo disruptions in December last year.

Domestic airfares are set to be deregulated from Monday, with the government removing the temporary cap on ticket prices, opening the door for airlines to freely set fares amid rising operating costs.

The move comes months after the Centre had imposed a ceiling on domestic fares in December 2025 following widespread flight disruptions, particularly by IndiGo, which had triggered a sharp spike in ticket prices across the sector.

With the cap now lifted, airlines will no longer be bound by the earlier upper limit of approximately Rs 18,000 (based on distance) for a one-way economy ticket and can price tickets according to demand and market conditions.

In its order removing the limit, the Civil Aviation ministry said “excessive or unjustified surge in fares during periods of peak demand, disruptions, or exigencies, will be viewed seriously” and that fare caps or other interventions can be reintroduced “if required in public interest”.

The fare caps had been brought in as an emergency measure to protect passengers from sudden price surges after mass cancellations led to reduced capacity and inflated ticket prices.

The removal also comes against the backdrop of increasing aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices and geopolitical tensions impacting flight operations, both of which have significantly raised airline expenses.

Officials said the decision aims to restore normal market dynamics in the aviation sector, allowing carriers greater pricing flexibility as the industry stabilises after the disruption-led volatility.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/iran-israel-war-air-ticket-prices-atf-ticket-prices-likely-to-soar-as-centre-lifts-domestic-airfare-cap-11248750?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

Assam Elections 2026: As Assam prepares for its Assembly elections, key campaign issues will revolve around illegal immigration, eviction drives, and development initiatives.

Infiltration, eviction drives, and development projects are set to dominate the campaign narrative as political parties gear up for the Assam Assembly elections, with both the ruling alliance and opposition sharpening their positions on key issues.

Assembly elections in Assam will be held on a single day on April 9 and votes will be counted on May 4. The model code of conduct has come into effect immediately with the announcement of the poll schedule. There are 126 assembly seats, and the BJP has been in power in the Northeastern state since 2016. Himanta Biswa Sarma has been the chief minister since 2021.

Anaya Bangar, the daughter of former Indian cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar, has announced the completion of her gender-affirming surgery in Thailand

The intersection of professional sports and personal identity remains a complex arena in India, often governed by traditional social structures. However, a significant shift in this narrative occurred on Saturday, as Anaya Bangar, daughter of former Indian cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar, announced the completion of her gender-affirming surgery in Thailand. Her three-year journey, documented via social media, has provided a rare, high-profile case study of transition within the context of elite Indian sports.

From the Pitch to Personal Realignment

Before her transition, Anaya was known to the cricketing circuit as Aryan Bangar. Influenced by her father’s career—Sanjay Bangar represented India in both Tests and ODIs before becoming a high-level batting coach—she was a proficient left-handed batter. Her competitive record includes representing Mumbai at the Under-16 and Under-19 levels, followed by a stint in the English county circuit with Leicestershire.

Despite her athletic progression, Anaya has since detailed the internal conflict she faced during this period. She described leading a “double life”, where the physical requirements of professional cricket were increasingly at odds with her gender identity. In her accounts, the highly gendered environment of the locker room served as a catalyst for her eventual decision to step away from her previous identity and begin the transition process.

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The Physiological Impact of Medical Transition

Anaya’s transition involved a prolonged period of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which she referred to as a “second puberty”. This medical process resulted in fundamental physiological changes. For an athlete, these shifts represent significant professional hurdles; Anaya has been transparent about the reduction in muscle mass, strength, and bone density she experienced.

Notably, she stated that she lost nearly 95% of her former muscle mass during the process. By sharing these specific data points, Anaya has contributed to the ongoing global debate regarding “biological advantages” in transgender female athletes, arguing that the physical changes brought about by HRT significantly alter an individual’s athletic profile. The final stage of this process was completed recently in Thailand, a primary destination for specialised gender-affirming healthcare.

Familial Dynamics and Public Support

A central element of this story has been the public evolution of the relationship between Anaya and her father. Sanjay Bangar, a figure associated with the disciplined and traditional values of Indian cricket, initially found it difficult to process his daughter’s transition. Anaya has previously acknowledged this early friction and the period of adjustment required for her family.

By 2026, this dynamic has shifted towards active support. Sanjay Bangar accompanied his daughter through her medical procedures in Thailand, a gesture that activists note is significant in a country where many transgender individuals face familial estrangement. The Bangar family’s public stance provides an important template for how traditional Indian households might navigate the complexities of transition through a framework of patience and eventual reconciliation.

The Future of Advocacy and Sport

Anaya Bangar now occupies a unique position at the heart of an international policy debate. The International Cricket Council (ICC) currently maintains a ban on transgender women who have gone through any stage of male puberty, effectively limiting Anaya’s options in professional women’s cricket at the highest level.

Source : https://www.news18.com/cricket/from-cricketing-legacy-to-identity-debate-why-anaya-bangars-transition-is-a-turning-point-in-indian-sports-9990378.html

 

In Delhi, the price of one litre of diesel sold for industrial uses like manufacturing, logistics and power generation was hiked to Rs 109.59 from earlier rate of Rs 87.67, an increase of Rs 21.92 per litre or over 25%.

Amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, public-sector oil marketing companies in India on Friday started a selective price hike, with premium petrol becoming costlier by up to Rs 2.35 per litre and diesel used for industrial purposes witnessing a steep 25% jump in rate. The move could make products costlier, leading to higher inflationary pressure.

In Delhi, the price of one litre of diesel sold for industrial uses like manufacturing, logistics and power generation was hiked to Rs 109.59 from earlier rate of Rs 87.67, an increase of Rs 21.92 per litre or over 25%.

However, the price of diesel sold to retail customers like car, bus and truck users remains unchanged. In Delhi, retail users will continue to get normal diesel at Rs 87.67 a litre.

Diesel is used as a key source of energy by various industrial sectors, including manufacturing, logistics and power generation. The increase in cost of production due to higher diesel prices is likely to result in a jump in prices down the supply chain, impacting the pocket of common people.

Inflation has increased sharply in recent months. Retail inflation based on Consumer Price Index rose to 10-month high of 3.21% in February, while wholesale price inflation jumped to 11-month high of 2.13%, as per the latest official data.

Public-sector oil marketing companies like Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) also announced up to Rs 2.35 per litre increase in the price of premium or high-grade petrol.

Price of IOCL’s XP95, BPCL’s Speed and HPCL’s Power has been increased in the range of Rs 2.09 to Rs 2.35 per litre.

Oil retailers sell premium petrol under different branding and varying rates. However, the price of normal petrol in Delhi remains unchanged at Rs 94.77 per litre.

“There is no increase in the price of normal petrol. There is some increase only in the premium category,” said Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

She claimed that premium petrol hardly makes up for 2-4% of the entire petrol sold in the country.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/industrial-diesel-price-up-by-25-may-fuel-inflation-3939335

According to sources, she met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis earlier in the evening, and he asked her to resign.

In a major development following the arrest of celebrity astrologer ‘Captain’ Ashok Kharat in a case of sexual assault and making objectionable videos of women, Maharashtra State Commission for Women (MSCW) chairperson Rupali Chakankar tendered her resignation on Friday night.

Chakankar, who is also president of the NCP women’s wing, had come under fire over her alleged connection with Kharat after videos surfaced showing her with the self‑styled godman, in which she was heard praising him.

Earlier in the day, amid mounting attacks from the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, NGOs and activists, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had reportedly asked Chakankar to step down.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/maharashtra/under-fire-over-links-with-rape-accused-godman-maharashtra-womens-panel-chief-chakankar-quits-3939272

One of the 10 pledges of the manifesto focuses on empowerment of women, with the party promising to enhance financial assistance under the Lakshmir Bhandar

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday released the Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) manifesto for the upcoming assembly elections, detailing 10 key pledges focused on welfare expansion, job creation, infrastructure development and economic growth.

Addressing a gathering while unveiling the manifesto in Kolkata, the TMC chairperson slammed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre, alleging it has “imposed an undeclared President’s Rule” in the state and is planning to carve out a new state from northern districts along with parts of Bihar.

The manifesto’s 10 pratigyas (pledges) widen the ambit of the existing 100-plus state-aided social welfare schemes for women, youth, students, farmers, widows, senior citizens, migrant workers and the unemployed.

“In the next five years, I pledge to turn our collective dreams into living reality, to tend to this land with the same love and devotion that Bengal has always inspired in her children,” Banerjee wrote in the manifesto’s preface, which focused on the “dignity” and “honour” of Bengalis.

One of the 10 pledges focuses on empowerment of women, with the party promising to enhance financial assistance under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme by increasing the monthly support by ₹500 — taking it to ₹1,500 for general category women and ₹1,700 for SC/ST women.

Another key pledge is a commitment to provide monthly financial assistance of ₹1,500 to unemployed youth under the Banglar Yuba-Sathi scheme.

The manifesto proposes a ₹30,000 crore agriculture budget to support farmers, including landless cultivators, and ensure sector-wide upgrades.

The TMC has promised to ensure pucca houses for all families and piped drinking water supply to every household across the state. The party has also pledged to organise annual Duare Chikitsa health camps in every block and town for doorstep health care delivery, upgrade infrastructure in all government schools, and expand pension coverage for senior citizens and widows.

“A survey is underway to bring more widows and senior citizens under the existing pension schemes. Also, as part of our Duare Sarkar (government at the doorstep) scheme, we will be having regular medical camps in every community block,” Banerjee said.

The manifesto promised to position West Bengal as the third-largest economy in India within the next 10 years. “A state-of-the-art landmark infrastructure, the Global Trade Centre, the dense river and deep sea port network, new logistics hubs will be set up to position Bengal as India’s gateway of trade for all of Eastern India,” the document said.

Administrate reforms include the establishment of seven new districts and expand the number of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

BJP West Bengal unit president Samik Bhattacharya said that the promises on industrial growth in the TMC’s manifesto is a tactic to fool people. ““Banerjee holds her so-called global business summit every year but the invitees shift their projects to other states. TMC’s extortion rackets stand in the path of progress,” he said.

During the event, Banerjee slammed the BJP and referred to the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) recent order to transfer several IAS and IPS officers, calling it a “conspiracy”.

“It is shameful that they imposed an undeclared President’s rule. I would rather call it declared. Bengal has been their target for a long time. They don’t want Bengal and its language, culture and honour to survive. The Government of India has targeted Bengal because they are jealous,” Banerjee said. “Those who have declared an indirect President’s rule are living in a fool’s paradise. You did it in Bihar but the strategy won’t work here.”

She further alleged that the ruling BJP has plans to form a new state featuring parts of north West Bengal.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/fashion/deepika-padukone-goes-regal-in-stunning-suit-and-jewellery-to-attend-a-concert-with-ranveer-singh-mom-and-sister-101774062678181.html

Jurors were asked to decide if two tweets and comments Musk made on a podcast in May 2022 amounted to him intentionally defrauding Twitter shareholders

A jury in the federal court in San Francisco found Elon Musk liable for misleading investors. It said he deliberately drove down Twitter’s stock price in the months leading up to his $44 billion acquisition of the social media company in 2022. However, it absolved him of some fraud allegations, finding that he did not “scheme” to mislead investors.

The civil trial was focused on a class-action lawsuit filed just before Musk took control of Twitter, which he later renamed X. Jurors were reportedly asked to decide if two tweets and comments Musk made on a podcast in May 2022 amounted to him intentionally defrauding Twitter shareholders, who sold their shares based on Musk’s statements, Associated Press reported.

After nearly four days of deliberations, the nine-person jury reached its verdict, close to three weeks after the trial began on March 2. It held Musk liable for misleading investors through two tweets, including one that said the Twitter deal was “temporarily on hold.”

It also cleared Musk over comments made on a podcast, finding no intentional scheme to defraud.

The panel awarded shareholders damages ranging from about $3 to $8 per share per day, which lawyers for the plaintiffs said adds up to roughly $2.1 billion. Musk’s net worth is estimated at around $814 billion, much of it tied to his stake in Tesla.

What was the trial about?

A large part of the trial centred on Musk’s claims about fake accounts on Twitter. He argued that the number of bots was far higher than the 5% reported by the company. Musk used what he called Twitter’s misrepresentation of the number of fake accounts on its service as a reason to retreat from the purchase.

When Musk attempted to withdraw, Twitter sued him in a Delaware court to force the deal through. Just before the trial was set to begin, Musk reversed his decision and agreed to go ahead with the original purchase.

The case mainly examined whether Musk’s tweets were intended to push down Twitter’s stock price. These tweets, including one from May 13, 2022, saying the deal was “temporarily on hold.”

The jury found that while Musk did mislead investors with two tweets, he did not do so with a statement he made on a podcast because it was an opinion. The jurors also absolved him of scheming to drive down the stock.

What did Musk say?

In his testimony, Musk maintained that Twitter’s leadership lied about the number of bots on the platform and withheld information from him about how the number of fake accounts was calculated.

Musk also asserted that his decision to follow through on the deal at the original sales price provided a huge windfall for most Twitter shareholders.

But Twitter’s shares fell below $33, or about 40% below Musk’s original purchase price, while the deal was hanging in limbo. That downturn cost shareholders who sold their stock during the uncertainty caused by what the lawsuit alleges was Musk’s deceitful behaviour.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/art-culture/quote-of-the-day-by-rani-mukerji-i-want-adira-to-grow-up-in-environment-where-there-is-equal-respect-for-men-and-women-101774003970001.html

The aircraft was a Boeing 777-200LR, while Air India currently has approval to operate only its Boeing 777-300ER fleet on services to Canada.

It was a flight to nowhere for the passengers on board an Air India flight bound for Vancouver yesterday. It returned to Delhi after nearly eight hours in the air as the airline mistakenly deployed an aircraft that did not have the regulatory clearance to enter Canada.

Flight AI185 took off from Delhi at 11:34 am with passengers and initially proceeded on an eastward route. However, after about four hours into the journey, when the aircraft entered the Chinese airspace near Kunming, the airline realised that the aircraft was not authorised to operate in Canada.

With that much time spent on its way back, the aircraft flew for a total of 7 hours and 54 minutes to land where it had taken off from.

The aircraft was a Boeing 777-200LR, while Air India currently has approval to operate only its Boeing 777-300ER fleet on services to Canada. Aviation approvals granted by countries can vary widely: some are issued on an airline basis, while others are specific to aircraft types or even to individual aircraft tail numbers.

Following the realisation, the aircraft was called back to Delhi mid-flight. It landed safely nearly nine hours after departure. All passengers and crew disembarked without incident.

Air India, in a statement, cited an “operational issue” for the return and said the decision was taken in line with the standard operating procedures. “The aircraft landed safely, and all passengers and crew disembarked. We regret the inconvenience caused to our guests,” the airline said.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/wrong-aircraft-air-indias-canada-flights-u-turn-after-4-hours-in-air-11243441?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

The police have taken Sohail Malik and Mehak (Sane Iram), the two masterminds, along with four others, into their custody.

The Ghaziabad police on March 14 arrested six individuals for allegedly being associated with a spying network that held ties with Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI. These individuals are accused of installing CCTV cameras at various places to transmit live video feeds about army routes, troop forces, and weaponry.

According to sources, the Ghaziabad Police took Sohail Malik, the mastermind of this racket, into custody. Malik, a resident of Meerut, received Rs 10,000 for each video clip he transmitted. Along with Sohail, a woman named Mahek (Sane Iram) has also been arrested. Mahek had the responsibility of recruiting young members to the network. Both Mahek and Sohail also had the responsibility to pay all the members based on their work.

Subsequently, the police arrested Praveen, Raj Valmiki, Shiva Valmiki, and Ritik Gangwa for being involved in the operation. Their phones, electronic gadgets, and several other documents have been seized.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that the gang covertly installed CCTV cameras in Delhi Cantonment Railway Station and Sonipat Railway Station. They also planned to install 50 cameras across locations, spanning from Delhi to Kashmir, with the intention of gathering information on military bases, troop activities, and their movements.

THE MANHUNT IS ON

The Ghaziabad Police is presently looking for an individual named Mohammad/ Sardar.

According to sources, the accused played a pivotal role in hatching the conspiracy. Mohammad allegedly provided funds for the installation of the CCTV cameras. He also had a key role in selecting the places for installing the CCTV cameras.

It has come to light that the accused possesses a UK-based mobile number. He also engaged in frequent phone calls with Sohail and Mahek, using a particular number.

HOW THE CRIME UNRAVELLED

The accused received online training on how to install the CCTV cameras. Despite that, they failed to install CCTV cameras and reached out to several technicians in the jurisdiction of the Kaushambi Police Station.

The matter drew attention to one of the beat constables of the local police. As he reported the matter to his superiors, the senior officials picked up the suspects and started questioning them.

As the investigation unfolded, they stumbled upon the existence of the gang and its links to the ISI.

SOHAIL THREATENED ONE OF THE MEMBERS

Following the incident, India Today spoke with the family members of one of the accused, Raj Valmiki. His parents told India Today that Sohail threatened his son by kidnapping his sister if he did not buy him three SIM cards.

“In a panic, my son bought him three SIM Cards,” his father said.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/up-police-arrest-six-for-being-associated-with-isi-linked-spy-network-2884747-2026-03-20

The Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia cited ‘recent developments’ on March 18 as the cause behind the death of the Indian national. On that day, Saudi Arabia downed four ballistic missiles targeting Riyadh. However, some debris fell near a refinery south of the city.

An Indian national was killed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, amid the Middle East conflict, taking the total casualties from India to six. While the circumstances regarding the Indian national’s death are not clear, the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia cited “recent developments” on March 18 as the cause.

The embassy, in a post on X, said it was in touch with the Indian national’s family and was providing all necessary assistance.

On March 18 (Wednesday), Saudi Arabia claimed it downed four ballistic missiles targeting Riyadh, and some debris fell near a refinery south of the city. The Indian national likely died after being hit by falling debris.

The attack was in response to Israeli strikes on Iran’s South Pars gasfield, the world’s largest such facility. It is the backbone of Iran’s domestic electricity production as well as global LNG supplies.

In fact, according to a report in Al Jazeera, the developments on March 18 marked the first time many in Riyadh heard blasts or received warning messages via text.

Since the conflict began on February 28, Iran has fired a barrage of missiles and low-cost drones towards Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, in an effort to pile up economic pressure by choking energy supply chains. However, Riyadh has intercepted a vast majority of the projectiles.

It must be remembered that the Gulf states host lakhs of Indian expatriates, many of whom work in construction, healthcare, hospitality, and finance sectors.

So far, six Indians have been killed amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.

On March 14, two Indians were killed following a drone strike in Sohar, Oman. A week ago, an Indian national was killed in Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia, when an Iranian missile, meant to target radar systems, hit a residential area.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indian-national-killed-riyadh-saudi-arabia-iran-war-2884869-2026-03-20

Punjab has carried out a record doctor recruitment drive and expanded its healthcare workforce significantly. The state has also boosted cancer diagnosis and infrastructure with new PET scan units and a medical college.

The Punjab government has completed one of the largest doctor recruitment drives in the state since Independence, while also expanding key diagnostic and cancer care infrastructure, according to official announcements.

Sharing updates on X, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said the Bhagwant Mann-led government has taken significant steps to strengthen healthcare services across Punjab.

Among the major initiatives, PET scan facilities for cancer diagnosis have been started in Amritsar, Faridkot, Mohali and Patiala. In addition, more than 200 private centres have been empanelled to provide free X-ray and ultrasound services, especially benefiting women patients. The government also plans to introduce CT scan facilities in eight more state hospitals soon.

Highlighting recruitment efforts, the government said it has completed the largest-ever hiring of doctors in Punjab. Over the past four years, 35 per cent of the total government doctor workforce has been recruited. This includes the appointment of 948 general doctors and 627 specialist doctors. The recruitment process has also covered 300 nursing staff and 250 pharmacists, while the hiring of 2,000 nurses is currently underway.

Meanwhile, Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh announced the establishment of a new government medical college in Kapurthala. The institute, named Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji State Institute of Medical Sciences, will be built within the existing district hospital complex.

The minister said all formalities, including the tendering process, have been completed and work orders have been issued. Construction is scheduled to begin on March 25 and is expected to be completed within 24 months, by March 2028.

The project will be developed at a cost of Rs 275 crore and will include a 300-bedded hospital along with a medical college offering 100 MBBS seats annually. The facility is expected to strengthen medical education in the state and reduce the need for students to seek expensive education abroad.

Once operational, the institute will provide advanced secondary and tertiary healthcare services and is expected to generate significant employment, directly benefiting over 1,000 people while creating indirect opportunities for thousands more.

As part of the expansion, the government hospital in Sultanpur Lodhi will be upgraded into an urban centre, while the Begowal government hospital will be developed as a rural centre. Both will be linked to the upcoming medical college in Kapurthala.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/punjab-doctor-recruitment-largest-pet-scan-kapurthala-medical-college-aap-2884854-2026-03-20

The move follows internal challenges faced by both leaders. Ramadoss, founder of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), has been at odds with his son Anbumani Ramadoss over control of the party. Despite being the founder, he has been unable to legally reclaim the party symbol or leadership post. Sasikala, a close aide of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, has also struggled to regain influence within the AIADMK.

In a significant political development in Tamil Nadu, S Ramadoss and VK Sasikala have joined hands to form a new alliance, signalling a fresh realignment ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. The alliance plans to field candidates in all 234 constituencies, with polling scheduled in a single phase on April 23.

The move follows internal challenges faced by both leaders. Ramadoss, founder of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), has been at odds with his son Anbumani Ramadoss over control of the party. Despite being the founder, he has been unable to legally reclaim the party symbol or leadership post.

Sasikala, a close aide of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, has also struggled to regain influence within the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). After failing to unify the party, she launched her own outfit, the All India Puratchi Thalaivar Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AIPTMMK).

Sources said the two leaders decided to join forces after a series of discussions, viewing the alliance as a way to rebuild political relevance and consolidate support bases.

The announcement followed a nearly two-hour meeting at Ramadoss’s residence in Thailapuram near Tindivanam in Villupuram district.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ramadoss-sasikala-join-hands-to-form-new-political-alliance-in-tamil-nadu-ahead-of-assembly-polls-2885067-2026-03-21

Aman Gupta, a Shark Tank India judge, regrets missing an investment in The Health Factory, now earning Rs 20-30 crore monthly.

Even seasoned investors have their off days and Aman Gupta is candid enough to admit it. The Shark Tank India judge recently opened up about a missed investment opportunity and even shared how he once showed up to shoot an episode while dealing with a hangover.

Gupta, who has been part of Shark Tank India since its debut season and has backed over 150 startups on the show, revealed that one of his biggest regrets was not investing in the food brand The Health Factory during Season 2.

Speaking in an interview, he said that none of the sharks chose to invest in the company at the time, even though it has since grown significantly. The brand, founded by Vinay Maheshwari and Mohit Sankhala, had pitched for Rs 75 lakh in exchange for 2.1% equity, valuing the company at Rs 35.71 crore. According to Gupta, the business is now generating revenues of Rs 20–30 crore per month.

During the pitch, fellow judge Peyush Bansal had remarked, “I am sure we will repent this decision” to which Gupta responded, “I hope we do.”

The episode also featured other sharks including Namita Thapar, Vineeta Singh, and Anupam Mittal.

Gupta also spoke about his on-screen persona and how his candid style sometimes draws attention. Reflecting on feedback from the channel, he said, “Sometimes I say whatever comes to my mind. One day, I was angry and I spoke in a Delhi-like fashion, ‘Abe tu karta kya hai? Pata bhi hai kya baat kar raha hai? (What are you doing? Do you even know what you are saying?)’ Sony kept it and people were like, ‘Why is he using such language?’”

He further acknowledged that every judge has their own style, referencing former shark Ashneer Grover, and admitted that he too has had difficult days on set.

Source : https://www.news18.com/movies/television/i-was-drinking-until-4-am-aman-gupta-recalls-shooting-shark-tank-india-episode-in-hungover-state-ws-l-9988998.html

Ahead of Kerala’s elections, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed confidence in the LDF’s ability to secure a third consecutive victory. He highlighted significant developmental changes in the state, attributing them to successful projects initiated after 2016.

Ahead of the upcoming election season in Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed confidence that the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) will secure a historic third consecutive term in power. In an exclusive conversation with Times Now, Vijayan highlighted what he described as a decade of transformative governance, pointing to major strides in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation across the state. He also spoke about the BJP’s chances in the state elections next month.

“All the people have a hope that is based on the experiences of the past. During these ten years, Kerala has undergone major changes in various fields. Kerala as a state has already gained the attention of the country. But many sectors have broken by 2016. There was a general belief that it could not be resolved. But after 2016, there was a significant change in that. Many projects that were thought to be impossible started happening,” he said.

The Kerala CM also discussed how there is an elevation in overall development. “In the first five years, our plan was to do developmental projects worth 50,000 crores, but when we completed the projects that we took, it came up to Rs 62,000 crores. In 10 years we did developmental projects worth Rs 1,16,000 crores. We have done multiple developmental projects in the education sector, roads, buildings, and hospitals. Through different projects, Kerala has seen significant development. When we look at Kerala’s development, we have spoken about overall development. In one place every sector is developing, other place, every family, every individual is getting the benefits of the development. That is Kerala’s development.”

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Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan speaks to TIMES NOW

When you speak to people on the ground, it is clear that such a sentiment (Anti-incumbency) does not exist…- CM @pinarayivijayan tells @ArpithaAja10359

(Translation by Sanil Sam) pic.twitter.com/WezszxkXgD

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) March 20, 2026

Discussing the highlights of the state government, he shared how Kerala is the first to be declared an extreme poverty-free state. “The youth of Kerala, we want better life opportunities and employment opportunities. Better education opportunities to get a better job. We are hoping to create favourable situation for all of these factors,” he remarked.

 

According to the police FIR, Ashok Kharat, who refers to himself as ‘Captain’ as he is a retired Merchant Navy officer, used to summon women to his office by luring them with promises of resolving their personal problems.

An influential astrologer, Ashok Kharat, has been arrested for allegedly repeatedly raping a 35-year-old woman under the guise of spirituality in Maharashtra’s Nashik, police said.

The victim alleges that under the pretext of performing rituals, the 67-year-old astrologer administered an intoxicant to her, hypnotised her, and exploiting her faith sexually assaulted her.

Police investigation has revelead that the sexual exploitation was not limited to just one woman.

According to the police FIR, Kharat, who refers to himself as ‘Captain’ as he is a retired Merchant Navy officer, used to summon women to his office by luring them with promises of resolving their personal problems.

Once there, he would hypnotise them by administering an intoxicant, police said.

Subsequently, he would rape the women by instilling fear in them -specifically, by threatening them with the death of their husbands or by invoking the dread associated with occult practices, the police said.

The investigation has revealed that Kharat had installed hidden CCTV cameras within his office.

The police have recovered a pen drive that reportedly contains video clips depicting obscene acts involving 58 different women.

The state government has constituted a Special Investigation Team, or SIT, led by IPS officer Tejaswini Satpute, to investigate the matter.

The Nashik Crime Branch Unit 1 is conducting a thorough examination of the incriminating videos and documents recovered from the accused.

The accused maintained an office named ‘Oakus Property Dealers and Developers’ in Nashik’s upscale Canada Corner locality. However, it is alleged that the business conducted was not that of real estate, but of crime.

He had successfully positioned himself within society as a highly accomplished astrologer and a possessor of divine powers.

He is rumoured to have political connections spanning from Delhi all the way to the corridors of power in Maharashtra.

In Mirgaon, he owns the Ishanyeshwar Temple and a lavish retreat, where prominent and influential figures would frequently visit to pay their respects.

As the chairman of the Shri Ishanyeshwar Temple Trust, located in Nashik’s Sinnar, Kharat was widely recognised as a spiritual guide to prominent politicians, celebrities, and business tycoons.

How The Arrest Happened?

To prevent any leak regarding the impending arrest, the police team executed a highly covert operation to arrest the accused from his Nashik farmhouse.

Under the cover of darkness, they police created a chaotic scene outside the accused’s residence by shouting “thief, thief”. Using this commotion as a pretext, the team gained direct entry into Kharat’s home, and before he could even comprehend what was happening, the police arrested him right from his bedroom.

During the ongoing raids, a pistol, live cartridges, and several spent cartridges were recovered from his farmhouse.

An intensive search was also conducted at the temple and hermitage located in Mirgaon, yielding to the discovery of several suspicious documents.

Additionally, multiple properties owned by him across Maharashtra have come under the scope of the investigation, police said.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ashok-karat-captain-influential-astrologer-67-arrested-for-repeatedly-raping-35-year-old-woman-11238108?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

EAM S Jaishankar spoke to Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa’ar amid rising West Asia tensions, discussing the conflict’s repercussions. He earlier urged dialogue between Israel and Iran as the crisis disrupted the Strait of Hormuz. India called attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure “deeply disturbing”. Meanwhile, the Israel–Iran war entered day 19, escalating across multiple fronts.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Thursday spoke to his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa’ar amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Both leaders disussed the ongoing West Asia conflict and its many repercussions.

“Had a telecon with FM @GidonSaar of Israel this evening. Exchanged views on the ongoing West Asia conflict and its many repercussions,” the EAM said on X.

Earlier, too, Jaishankar had urged de-escalation through dialogue with both Israel and Iran to end the conflict, which has now snowballed into a full-fledged crisis that has caused a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, which is located between Iran and Oman and is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints. Significant global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass through it every day.

Earlier in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) termed the attacks against energy infrastructure in the Gulf region as “deeply disturbing”.

“India had previously called for the avoidance of targeting civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, across the region. Recent attacks against energy installations in different locations across this region are therefore deeply disturbing and only serve to further destabilise an already uncertain energy scenario for the whole world. Such attacks are unacceptable and need to cease,” the statement shared by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal read.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/eam-s-jaishankar-speaks-to-israeli-counterpart-to-discuss-repercussions-of-west-asia-conflict

The Embassy of Ukraine in India expressed serious concern over the March 13 detention of six Ukrainian nationals and one US citizen by the NIA in Mizoram. The embassy said publicly available reports suggested possible Russian influence, raising fears the case could be politically motivated. Kyiv called for full consular access, legal assistance, and a transparent investigation.

The Embassy of Ukraine in India has expressed serious concern over the detention of six Ukrainian nationals by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), saying the circumstances surrounding the case raise questions about whether it could be “orchestrated and politically motivated”.

The six Ukrainians were detained on March 13 along with one US citizen over allegations linked to unauthorised entry into Mizoram, possible illegal movement across the India–Myanmar border and suspected involvement in activities such as providing weapons training to ethnic armed groups in neighbouring Myanmar.

In a detailed statement issued on Thursday, the Ukrainian Embassy said publicly available information, including certain media reports, suggested that the investigation may have been initiated following inputs from the Russian side. The embassy said this raised concerns about possible external influence in the case.

“Taking into account publicly available information, including reports indicating that the initiation of this proceeding was prompted by information provided by the Russian side, the Embassy expresses serious concern about circumstances that point to a possible orchestrated and politically motivated nature of this case,” the statement said.

The embassy firmly rejected any suggestion that the Ukrainian state could be involved in supporting terrorism. It stressed that Ukraine itself faces the consequences of “Russian terror” and therefore maintains a strict and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms.

Lalduhoma also told the Assembly that between June and December 2024 nearly 2,000 foreign nationals entered Mizoram. While many arrived legally, authorities became cautious after noticing that some visitors headed directly towards border areas instead of visiting tourist locations.

Responding to the broader concerns, the Ukrainian Embassy said any allegations related to terrorism must be examined strictly on the basis of verified facts and transparent procedures. It also stressed the importance of full cooperation between the authorities of the two countries.

The embassy reiterated that Ukraine and India share a clear and principled position against terrorism. It referred to the joint statement issued after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ukraine on August 23, 2024, where the leaders of both nations strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and emphasised the need for international cooperation in tackling the threat.

Ukraine said it was ready to cooperate fully with Indian authorities through existing bilateral mechanisms, including the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, which provides a framework for cooperation between the two countries in criminal investigations.

At the same time, the embassy called for transparency in the ongoing investigation and urged the Indian authorities to ensure that the rights of the detained Ukrainian citizens are protected under international law. It also reiterated its request for immediate and unhindered consular access to the detainees and said efforts were underway to provide them legal assistance.

Earlier, the Ukrainian Ambassador had formally approached India’s Ministry of External Affairs and handed over a diplomatic note seeking clarity on the case and access to the detained nationals.

The embassy emphasised that Ukraine has no interest in any activity that could threaten India’s security. Instead, it said Kyiv remains committed to strengthening trust, security cooperation and friendly relations with India.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/ukraine-questions-motive-behind-arrest-of-six-citizens-in-mizoram-seeks-transparent-probe

 

The Ahmedabad Crime Branch seized Rs 2.38 crore of fake currency, arrested seven from Surat, uncovered a printing unit, links to the Satyam Foundation, and the use of AI tools; hunt on for wider network and Ahmedabad agents.

The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has busted a major fake currency racket, seizing counterfeit notes worth Rs 2.38 crore and arresting seven people, officials said.

Of the total haul, fake notes worth Rs 2.10 crore were recovered from Ahmedabad, while Rs 28 lakh was seized during a follow-up raid in Surat.

According to police, the accused were caught while transporting the counterfeit currency from Surat to Ahmedabad in a white Toyota Fortuner. The vehicle was intercepted near Amraiwadi after a tip-off.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Ajit Rajiyan said teams had been deployed in advance after receiving intelligence inputs.

“Our teams were waiting for a white Fortuner car (GJ05 RS 5252). As soon as the vehicle reached between metro pillars 29 and 30, it was stopped. During the search, bundles of fake Rs 500 notes were found packed inside a white plastic box in a black bag,” he said.

Police detained all occupants of the car, including a woman. Officials said the serial numbers on the seized notes were different, indicating a large-scale operation.

Further investigation led the Crime Branch to a house in Surat’s Sarthana area, where counterfeit notes were being printed. In a joint raid with Surat Police, officers recovered fake currency worth Rs 28 lakh along with printing equipment, ink, and raw materials.

During questioning, police uncovered the alleged involvement of Pradeep Jotangia, a yoga instructor who runs the Satyam Foundation in Surat. Investigators said the accused had been operating the racket for the past six months and were selling fake currency at a 25% commission.

The main accused, Mukesh Thummar, allegedly set up the printing unit at his residence. Police said he sourced green security thread paper marked “RBI” and “Bharat” from Chinese suppliers through websites such as Alibaba and made payments via digital gateways.

Officials added that Thummar, who is skilled in Photoshop editing, used advanced techniques to design the counterfeit notes. The accused also allegedly used AI tools, including ChatGPT, to make the fake currency appear more realistic.

Those arrested have been identified as Pradeep Jotangia, Mukesh Thummar, Ashok Mawani, Ramesh Balar, Divyesh Rana, Bharat Kakadiya, and a woman, all residents of Surat.

Police said the Fortuner used in the operation belonged to Jotangia and carried a board of the Ministry of AYUSH, raising further suspicion about the network’s methods.

So far, officials have recovered 42,000 fake Rs 500 notes from Ahmedabad and 5,600 such notes from Surat. Other items seized include security thread paper rings, an electric press machine, a note-counting machine, printers, a laptop, paper-cutting machines, and ink.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ahmedabad-crime-branch-busts-fake-currency-racket-seizes-rs-238-crore-7-arrested-2884457-2026-03-20

India flagged Pakistan’s clandestine nuclear proliferation history as a global threat, echoing concerns raised in a recent US intelligence assessment.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said Pakistan’s track record of clandestine nuclear proliferation poses a serious global threat, echoing concerns raised in a recent US intelligence assessment.

Addressing a regular press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal referred to remarks by US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and said Pakistan’s past continues to raise alarm internationally.

“As far as Pakistan is concerned, they have a history. They have a history of clandestine nuclear nonproliferation, and statements like this again make it clear what kind of threat they pose to the world because of their clandestine nuclear operations,” Jaiswal said.

The remarks come after a report issued on March 18 by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) classified Pakistan, along with Russia and China, among countries posing a significant nuclear threat to the United States.

Presenting the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment (ATA) before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Gabbard highlighted concerns over Pakistan’s evolving military capabilities, regional role, and links to terrorism.

The report noted that Pakistan is actively researching and developing a range of advanced missile delivery systems. It also flagged concerns that Islamabad’s long-range ballistic missile programme could potentially include Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) capable of striking the US.

“The US secure nuclear deterrent continues to ensure safety in the Homeland against strategic threats. However, Russia, China, North Korea, Iran and Pakistan have been researching and developing an array of novel, advanced, or traditional missile delivery systems with nuclear and conventional payloads that put our Homeland within range,” Gabbard said.

The assessment further identified Pakistan as a continuing concern in the global fight against Islamist militancy. It said the US faces a complex and evolving threat landscape, with terrorist groups seeking to expand their global reach despite weakened capacities of al-Qaida and ISIS compared to their peak years.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-pakistan-nuclear-threat-mea-tulsi-gabbard-report-landestine-history-2884401-2026-03-19

One Mumbai-based buyer purchased one plot, while another secured three by placing the top bids. Authorities have not yet revealed the identities of either of the successful bidders.

Properties linked to fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim in Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri district have finally been sold after several unsuccessful attempts over the years. The Central government conducted the auction on March 5, 2026, marking a significant breakthrough in disposing of assets tied to criminal activities.

The auction involved four agricultural plots located in Mumbake village in Ratnagiri. These lands were registered in the name of Ibrahim’s mother, Amina Bi, and had been seized under the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act (SAFEMA), which allows authorities to confiscate properties linked to smuggling and illicit wealth.

According to officials, two buyers emerged in the latest auction. One Mumbai-based individual secured a single plot, while another bidder acquired the remaining three parcels by quoting the highest prices. However, the identities of both buyers have not yet been disclosed.

Efforts to sell these properties had been ongoing for years, with auctions conducted in 2017, 2020, 2024 and 2025 failing to attract successful bids.

In some instances, there were no bidders at all, including a November 2025 attempt that drew no participation, underscoring the challenges in selling assets associated with controversial figures.

This time, authorities set varied reserve prices for the four plots, ranging from a few thousand rupees to over Rs 9 lakh.

One of the prime plots, which had a reserve price of approximately Rs 9.41 lakh, was eventually sold for more than Rs 10 lakh, indicating improved buyer interest.

Advocate Bhupendra Bhardwaj had earlier secured Dawood Ibrahim’s ancestral land parcels through SAFEMA auctions, including plots with mango orchards.

In early 2024, he completed registration and performed a puja on the property near the underworld don’s ancestral bungalow, which was acquired by Delhi-based lawyer Ajay Srivastava, who later transferred it to a trust.

Srivastava had also won bids for two plots in 2024, including one for Rs 2.01 crore, but failed to complete payment, leading to the properties being re-auctioned.

Officials said the successful bidders are required to deposit the full payment by April 2026. The transaction will be finalised after receiving approval from the competent authority, following which ownership will be legally transferred.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/dawood-ibrahim-ancestral-lands-auctioned-maharashtra-ratnagiri-safema-sale-2884194-2026-03-19

A growing rift inside Congress over the West Asia conflict reveals sharp differences on India’s foreign policy, with senior leaders backing the government even as the party leadership questions New Delhi’s moral and strategic stance.

A fresh rift has surfaced within the Congress over India’s response to the escalating conflict in West Asia, with senior leaders Manish Tewari and Shashi Tharoor backing the Centre’s cautious approach even as the party leadership sharpens its criticism.

Congress MP Manish Tewari backed the government’s stance, arguing that India has limited stakes in the region’s conflicts and should remain careful in its positioning.

“It’s important to understand that there is not one war which is happening in West Asia. There are multiple wars which are taking place,” he said.

Calling the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States complex, Tewari added, “Well, it’s not our war. We’ve always been rather marginal players in the greater Middle East.”

He argued that India’s current approach reflects strategic thinking. “If we are circumspect, I think probably we are doing the right thing, because that is really what strategic autonomy is about.”

Shashi Tharoor also endorsed the government’s handling of the situation, describing it as an exercise in “responsible statecraft” rather than a failure of moral positioning.

In a newspaper column, he wrote that while the conflict raises concerns under international law, India’s restraint reflects “strategic prudence and a clear-eyed assessment of national interest”.

He added that silence should not be seen as support for military action and cautioned against what he called rhetorical moralism.

The remarks stand in contrast to the Congress leadership’s position. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge, along with Rahul Gandhi, Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera, have questioned the government’s response, particularly on Israeli military actions and reports of targeted killings in Iran.

Rahul Gandhi has argued that India must clearly oppose unilateral military action, while other leaders have warned that silence risks diluting India’s long-standing foreign policy principles.

Since the conflict escalated, India has consistently called for “dialogue and diplomacy” while also condemning Iranian strikes across the Gulf. At the same time, New Delhi has stepped up engagement with Tehran to secure oil and gas supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route.

This is not the first time differences have emerged within the Congress on foreign policy. Similar tensions were visible during Operation Sindoor, when Tharoor’s support for the government’s diplomatic outreach drew criticism from within the party.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/congress-leaders-manish-tewari-and-shashi-tharoor-back-indias-cautious-west-asia-stance-while-party-leadership-criticises-government-approach-2884124-2026-03-19

 

The prime suspect in the case was identified as Kamruddin, a Firozabad native who now stands accused of running a sprawling occult network.

When police discovered a white Tata hatchback parked on the service lane of Delhi’s Peeragarhi flyover on February 8, a routine check led to a shocking discovery – three dead bodies inside, with no immediate link between the victims. Investigators soon found themselves in the middle of one of the most intriguing multi-state investigations centreing on a 72-year-old former bangle trader who, they discovered, was the alleged mastermind of an occult racket blending superstition and psychology, and suspected in multiple deaths over four decades.

The prime suspect in the case was identified as Kamruddin, a Firozabad native who now stands accused of running a sprawling occult network. Despite being previously accused in at least two murders, he managed to continue his so-called “practice” and is suspected to have killed more people than he has been formally charged with.

The Peeragarhi deaths

On February 8, the bodies of Randhir Singh, 76, property dealer Shiv Naresh, 47, and Laxmi, 40, from Jahangirpuri, were found inside a car around 4pm after passing motorists alerted police.

While it was not immediately clear how they all knew each other, investigators pieced together a timeline through CCTV footage and call detail records. Around 9.52am, Randhir met Shiv at his house. They reached Haiderpur at 10.40am, picked up Laxmi, crossed Khajuri Khas at 11.10am, and arrived at Kamruddin’s Loni residence around 11.44am. Ten minutes later, CCTV showed them returning with two bags.

The next time the car was spotted, was around 1pm at Peeragarhi – around 30km away – where at 1.13pm Kamruddin was seen inside the car holding a packet in his hand, which investigators presume contained the laddos. The car was stationary at the Peeragarhi flyover for nearly 45 minutes.

Forensic analysis revealed what investigators describe as a lethal mix of sulphas (aluminium phosphide) and sleeping pills in high concentration. “Sulphas has a distinctive smell which can be masked if the person has consumed alcohol,” an investigator said, noting the combination can cause rapid death. A bottle of alcohol was recovered from the car.

Investigators said the victims had visited a day earlier but were sent back for not bringing “cold items” required for the ceremony. “They had insisted the Dhanvarsha should happen at their chosen place. We suspect he decided to kill them because they had chosen the location and he had little control. If it was his place, he could have simply made an excuse for the Dhanvarsha not having happened,” an officer said.

By 3pm, the victims’ car was found near Peeragarhi flyover. All were dead. “They were promised ₹3 crore against ₹2 lakh. They went to all lengths to make that money and died in the process,” an officer closely investigating the case said.

A history of similar deaths

This was not the first time Kamruddin faced serious allegations. HT accessed charge sheets and spoke to investigators to see that there was at least a decade-old pattern.

In February 2014, in Rajasthan’s Rajkhera, he was accused of killing a woman along with her husband, allegedly instigating a man to murder his wife over infertility. He was arrested and spent 390 days in jail before being released on bail.

According to the chargesheet, 30-year-old Anita married school teacher Narayan Singh in 2004 but was unable to bear children. In 2013, she and her husband began visiting Kamruddin in Firozabad. On February 25, Anita went missing; two days later, her body was found about 300m from her house.

Before her marriage, Anita had been in love with a man named Udayveer. In 2014, they reconnected, causing marital strife. Parallelly, both Anita and her husband consulted Kamruddin regularly, believing his occult practices would help them conceive.

According to the chargesheet, Anita met Kamruddin on February 23 in her husband’s absence and spoke to him seven times on February 24. “On February 26, Kamruddin was in Rajkhera but didn’t speak to either Anita or Narayan Singh despite being in the area, which raises suspicion. The postmortem indicated she was killed 24 hours before her body was found, meaning February 26,” the document read.

Investigators believed Narayan Singh conspired with Kamruddin to kill Anita over her alleged relationship and infertility. Her postmortem revealed death by poisoning.

Kamruddin was arrested on charges of murder and kidnapping. However, after 390 days in jail, he was released in 2015. A Rajasthan police officer explained that lack of direct evidence was the case, “The court gave bail on the grounds that the evidence was circumstantial. He could not be directly linked to the murder. Anita’s husband was the prime accused.”

Arrested in 2025 for double murder

A decade later, in May 2025, Kamruddin was again arrested – this time in connection with two deaths allegedly linked to poison-laced offerings during similar rituals.

According to the FIR from Makkhanpur police station in Firozabad, complainant Ram Singh alleged that his brother Ramnath and relative Pooran died after Kamruddin poisoned them. Singh alleged Kamruddin had lured the men with promises of recovering “hidden treasures” through tantric practices, taking money for rituals and refusing to return it.

On May 8, Kamruddin called the two to his house on the pretext of performing rituals. Their bodies were discovered the following morning near a glass factory, with glasses, laddoos, lemon and other ritual items placed nearby.

Initially registered as abetment of suicide, the case was converted to murder after forensic reports showed traces of “organophosphorus insecticide” in the victims’ bodies. Investigating officer of the case, Chaman Kumar Sharma, said, “Examination of laddoos, glasses, lemons, and viscera reports confirmed Kamruddin mixed poison in the laddoos and bhabhuti (ash) he administered. Kamruddin confessed in his disclosures.”

Despite this, Kamruddin secured bail from the Allahabad High Court on September 9, 2025. His lawyer successfully argued that the FIR was filed four days after the bodies were discovered, that there was “no direct or ocular evidence,” and that “organophosphorus insecticide cannot be administered by force because it has a pungent smell.” Crucially, the lawyer claimed Kamruddin had no criminal history – a claim police failed to challenge, not having checked his 2014 Rajasthan case.

“Kamruddin’s willingness to murder for financial greed and his diminished fear of the law are evident in the fact that he killed three people in Delhi by poisoning despite being bailed out just five months ago,” a Delhi Police officer said. The murder case is currently on trial, with Kamruddin allegedly failing to appear in court despite bail conditions requiring his presence.

The racket

Raids at Kamruddin’s premises in Loni and Firozabad uncovered hundreds of photographs of women and men, with addresses on the back, which investigators believe were used for “Dhanvarsha.” Victims allegedly paid amounts ranging from ₹1,800 to ₹2.75 lakh for rituals claiming to locate hidden treasure, cure infertility, or ensure wealth.

Speaking to HT, 35-year-old Neha Devi from Wazirpur, who visited Kamruddin twice in February 2025, said she was referred by her husband’s colleague when she complained of chronic illness. After narrating her problem, Kamruddin gave her eight laddoos to consume at home – which her husband made her throw away. On a second visit, Kamruddin performed what he called an “operation,” placing a white cloth on her stomach, reciting phrases, and producing a bloodied black cloth with knots, claiming he had extracted the source of her illness. She remains unwell, she told HT.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/kamruddin-delhis-peeragarhi-triple-murder-case-accused-and-occult-who-preyed-on-fear-greed-101773968953529.html

Iranian attacks ‌have knocked out 17% of Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity, causing an estimated $20 billion in lost annual revenue and threatening supplies to Europe and Asia, QatarEnergy’s CEO and state minister for energy affairs told Reuters on Thursday.
Saad al-Kaabi said two of Qatar’s 14 LNG trains and one of its two gas-to-liquids (GTL) facilities were damaged in ​the unprecedented strikes. The repairs will sideline 12.8 million tons per year of LNG for three to five years, he said ​in an interview.

“I never in my wildest dreams would have thought that Qatar would be – Qatar and the region – ⁠in such an attack, especially from a brotherly Muslim country in the month of Ramadan, attacking us in this way,” Kaabi said.
Hours earlier ​Iran had aimed a series of attacks at Gulf oil and gas facilities after Israeli attacks on its own gas infrastructure.
State-owned QatarEnergy will have to ​declare force majeure on long-term contracts for up to five years for LNG supplies bound for Italy, Belgium, South Korea, and China due to the two damaged trains, Kaabi said.
“I mean, these are long-term contracts that we have to declare force majeure. We already declared, but that was a shorter term. Now it’s whatever the period ​is,” he said.

EXXONMOBIL IMPACT AND BYPRODUCTS

QatarEnergy had declared force majeure on its entire output of LNG, after earlier attacks on its Ras Laffan production ​hub, which came under fire again on Wednesday.
“For production to restart, first we need hostilities to cease,” he said.
U.S. oil major ExxonMobil (XOM.N), is a partner in ‌the damaged ⁠LNG facilities, while Shell (SHEL.L), is a partner in the damaged GTL facility, which will take up to a year to repair.

Texas-based ExxonMobil holds a 34% stake in LNG train S4 and a 30% stake in train S6, Kaabi said.
Train S4 impacts supplies to Italy’s Edison (EDNn.MI), and EDFT in Belgium, while Train S6 impacts South Korea’s KOGAS, EDFT and Shell in China.
The scale of the damage from the attacks has set the region back 10 ​to 20 years, he said.
“And of ​course, this is a safe ⁠haven for a lot of people, to have a safe place to stay and so on. And that image, I think, has been shaken.”

The fallout extends well beyond LNG. Qatar’s exports of condensate will drop by ​around 24%, while liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) will fall 13%. Helium output will fall 14%, and naphtha and ​sulphur will both drop ⁠by 6%.
Those losses have implications ranging from LPG used in restaurants in India to South Korea’s chipmakers which use helium.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/iran-attack-damage-wipes-out-17-qatars-lng-capacity-three-five-years-qatarenergy-2026-03-19/

 

India has been hit ⁠hard by the jump in crude prices and disruption in oil and gas supplies, but unlike China it has not moved to ban exports of refined fuel.

India has ordered oil and gas companies to share details on exports, imports and inventories with a government agency, as the South Asian nation seeks to shield consumers ⁠from shortages amid rising global prices triggered by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

India ⁠has designated the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell to ‌collect and analyse the information, ​according to a government order issued late on Wednesday.

The companies must share information regardless of any “contract, agreement, commercial arrangement or confidentiality obligation,” the order said, adding no entity can refuse to share details by claiming it is “commercially sensitive ​or proprietary”.

India has been hit ⁠hard by the jump in crude prices and disruption in oil and gas supplies, but unlike China it has not moved to ban exports of refined fuel.

Any move to curtail fuel exports by ⁠India will ‌hit Reliance Industries, the operator of the world’s biggest refining complex, as other refiners have largely stopped exporting fuels.

All companies involved ‌in the oil and gas supply chain including oil producers, importers, refiners, fuel and gas retailers, ⁠liquefied natural gas importers, pipeline operators, and petrochemical plants were ordered to provide PPAC with data.

India, the ‌world’s fourth-largest refiner and third-biggest oil importer and consumer, meets ‌over 90% of its oil needs through purchases from overseas.

So far ‌the federal government has maintained that the country has adequate ‌crude supplies and refined fuel stocks to meet local fuel demand.

However, the world’s second-largest LPG importer is facing its worst cooking gas crisis in decades with shipments from ⁠the Strait of Hormuz ⁠almost halted due to the war.

India was sourcing more than 40% of its crude imports and 90% of its liquefied petroleum gas imports from the Middle East.

Indian refiners have bought millions of barrels of Russian oil floating on the high seas after Washington granted a sanctions waiver.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/india-orders-oil-gas-firms-to-share-import-export-data-3937214#google_vignette

US Ambassador Sergio Gor met NSA Ajit Doval on March 18 in New Delhi, discussing critical security and geopolitical issues. Gor said strategic cooperation between India and the US continues to advance. The talks come amid tensions in West Asia and on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, highlighting both nations’ shared commitment to regional stability.

US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor held a “fruitful meeting” with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Wednesday, discussing “critical security and geopolitical issues” and the ongoing strategic cooperation between the United States and India.

The meeting took place amid the current conflict in West Asia and the highly volatile security situation on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

“Just wrapped up an extremely fruitful meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Covered critical security and geopolitical issues. Strategic cooperation between the United States and India continues to advance,” Gor wrote on X after the meeting.

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Just wrapped up an extremely fruitful meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Covered critical security & geopolitical issues. Strategic cooperation between the United States and India continues to advance.

— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) March 18, 2026

On March 12, Lieutenant General Joel B Vowell, Deputy Commanding General, United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) held a meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi in New Delhi, discussing ways to further strengthen the defence partnership between both nations.

The discussions between two officials focused on regional security in the Indo-Pacific, enhancing interoperability through joint military exercises and exploring new avenues of engagement to deepen military-to-military cooperation across various domains.

“Lieutenant General Joel B Vowell, Deputy Commanding General, United States Army Pacific (USARPAC), called on General Upendra Dwivedi, COAS and discussed avenues to further strengthen the India-US defence partnership,” Indian Army’s Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) posted on X.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/us-ambassador-sergio-gor-nsa-ajit-doval-discuss-india-us-strategic-partnership-defence-cooperation

 

BJP MP Kangana Ranaut alleged that Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi behaves in a manner that makes women MPs uncomfortable in Parliament.

BJP MP and actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut on Wednesday sparked a fresh political controversy after alleging that Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi behaves in a manner that makes women MPs uncomfortable in Parliament.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Ranaut criticised Gandhi’s conduct, saying, “It is very uncomfortable the way he conducts himself.” She further added that he should take cues from his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, whose behaviour she described as “very good.”

“Tapori ki tarah aate hai,” she said.

The Supreme Court’s stinging remarks came while it was hearing the ED’s petition alleging interference by Mamata Banerjee and her government during its January 8 raids on the office of political consultancy firm I-PAC.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday came down heavily on the Bengal government in the I-PAC case, saying Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee interrupting ED raids in the state was not a “happy situation”. A bench of justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and NV Anjaria said central probe agencies could not be left without any remedy in such instances.

“The case here is that some Chief Minister allegedly barges into a government office and interferes with the Central government agency’s work. What is the remedy then? What happens if some other CM does it again? We have to respond to an organic situation where some remedy has to be there,” the court said, indicating that it might frame SOPs for such situations.

Representing the Bengal government, senior advocate Shyam Divan, however, argued that the Constitution does provide a remedy. He suggested that the Centre could initiate appropriate proceedings rather than departments acting independently and invoking writ jurisdiction.

WHAT IS THE I-PAC CASE?

The Supreme Court was hearing the ED’s petition alleging interference by Mamata and the government during its January 8 raids on the office of political consultancy firm I-PAC in Kolkata, as well as the residence of its chief, Prateek Jain. The raids were in connection with a money laundering probe linked to the alleged coal scam.

High drama unfolded on January 8 after Banerjee rushed to Jain’s residence and walked out carrying a laptop, a phone and several files even as the raids were on. She then headed straight to I-PAC’s Salt Lake office, where a second ED team was carrying out searches, and came out with several files.

The ED called it a “gross abuse of power”. However, Mamata claimed that the raids were politically motivated and engineered by the BJP ahead of the high-stakes Bengal elections. Bengal goes to the polls on April 23 and 29.

‘YOU CAN’T DICTATE TO US’

Now, coming back to the hearing in the Supreme Court. At the outset, the court turned down a plea by Bengal seeking adjournment of the hearing on the ED’s plea. Advocate Divan, representing Bengal, sought additional time to file a response to the counter-affidavit filed by the ED.

However, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the ED, swiftly opposed the request. He called it a tactic to delay the hearing and pointed out that the ED rejoinder was filed four weeks ago.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/law-news/story/mamata-banerjee-ed-raids-ipac-case-supreme-court-hearing-2883803-2026-03-18

Congress president Kharge on Wednesday said in Rajya Sabha sarcastically that former PM and JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda “loved Congress but married Modi”.

Responding to Congress president’s “love us, married Modi” jibe, former prime minister and Janata Dal (Secular) supremo HD Deve Gowda on Wednesday said he did love the Grand Old party but had to take a “divorce” from the “abusive relationship.”

Bidding farewell to retiring Rajya Sabha MP HD Deve Gowda, Kharge extended well wishes as well as a jibe over his association with the PM Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Kharge was delivering a farewell speech for the 37 retiring MPs including Deve Gowda, Ramdas Athawale, Priyanka Chaturvedi, Tiruchi Siva, Amarendra Dhari Singh, and Abhishek Manu Singhvi and others.

Recalling his association with former prime minister Deve Gowda of over 54 years, Kharge took a veiled “shaadi (marriage)” dig, indicating that the Janata Dal (Secular) leader formed relations with one alliance and went ahead with someone else – PM Modi – ultimately.

“I have known Deve Gowda for more than 54 years, and I have worked with him a lot. Later, I don’t know what happened. Wo mohabbat humare saath kiye, shaadi Modi sahab ke sath [he loved us but got married to Modi]’,” Kharge said, leaving the House, including PM Modi, in splits.

VanDyke identified himself as a security analyst, documentary filmmaker, and war correspondent, but sources suggest there are more layers to the shadowy figure.

The arrest of an American national in India has uncovered several crucial leads in a high-level investigation encompassing national security angles. Matthew VanDyke was among seven foreigners who were arrested two days earlier in connection with an alleged conspiracy hatched against India.

The accused had crossed into Myanmar illegally via India to train ethnic armed groups there and some banned groups in India too, India’s top anti-terror body, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), had said.

Scanning his social media footage and mobile phone, officials have now found that VanDyke had previously been linked to numerous military conflicts and operations abroad, while the investigation now aims to ascertain how he managed to reach the northeast and with what mission.

The American embassy confirmed it is aware of the situation but refused to divulge further details.

VanDyke: Modern Warfare Operative

VanDyke identified himself as a security analyst, documentary filmmaker, and war correspondent, but sources suggest there are more layers to the shadowy figure.

The American was a mercenary military instructor with reported former associations with the US military, sources said. He served in Iraq among other combat zones. He also provided “special forces-style” training that encompasses disciplines such as guerrilla warfare, tactical operations, drone usage, and modern warfare techniques, sources added.

VanDyke’s Early Days

VanDyke gained prominence during the Libyan Civil War. He reportedly embarked on a motorcycle journey across North Africa and the Middle East after completing university. During this period, he forged friendship with the people of Libya. When the revolution erupted there, he joined the rebel fighters. He was arrested and held captive for about six months. However, he managed to escape and returned to the US after the war ended in 2011.

He then planned to produce a documentary on the Syrian revolution that started soon after. However, the execution of US journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, both his friends, by ISIS, made him change his plan and focus on training armed groups. He then founded the Sons of Liberty International (SOLI) to train and advise armed groups around the world.

‘Appeal To Mercenaries’

During the investigation, officials came across several recordings in which VanDyke was reportedly heard making statements that backed rebellions across the world. He stated that his objective was not just to deploy foreign fighters into combat, but rather to train local populations to fight for themselves.

VanDyke had even issued global appeals to mercenaries to join insurgent groups in Venezuela, Myanmar, and Iran.

His arrest in India assumes significance since he is believed to be linked to armed networks active in the Northeast. VanDyke is also believed to have been providing training in drone operations and modern warfare techniques.

His arrest throws up major security questions, especially if the Indian territory was being used as a transit corridor and if he had any link to anti-India and banned groups. Espionage and intelligence-gathering angles are also being probed.

3 Major Theories

Three major potential theories are being examined in connection with VanDyke’s arrest, sources suggest. The first points to a larger international initiative, possibly a broader strategy to destabilise India. This hypothesis stems from allegations against the CIA of conducting covert operations across the globe.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/conspiring-against-india-inside-american-mercenary-matthew-vandykes-arrest-11234193?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

Bordoloi, often called Shashi Tharoor of the northeast for his erudition, resigned from his Lok Sabha seat yesterday and is now set to contest the assembly elections on a BJP ticket.

The departure of Assam Congress leaders Bhupen Borah and now Pradyut Bordoloi, which has added to the challenges of the Congress ahead of the state election, has sparked an internal debate in the state unit on why the party’s senior leaders could not prevent it. While many question the role of the state party chief, others question how such an event could transpire under the watch of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Sources close to her have pointed out that the senior leader has been serving as the Chairperson of the Screening Committee and her role has been limited to the selection of candidates.

Bordoloi, often called Shashi Tharoor of the northeast for his erudition, resigned from his Lok Sabha seat yesterday and is now set to contest the assembly elections on a BJP ticket. He is the last in a long line of leaders from Assam Congress who have made a beeline for the BJP since Himanta Biswa Sarma changed camp.

Though Bordoloi has said his decision was the result of a slow estrangement and regular humiliations within the party and not so much about the election nomination, the perception that the latter is the key reason, persists.

Bordoloi had quit, sources said, after the Congress decided to give a ticket to an MLA with alleged underworld links for the coming assembly election. The candidature is yet to be announced.

Lahorighat MLA Asif Mohammad Nazar was allegedly linked to Emdadul Islam, who, Bordoloi said, was involved in a murderous attack on him and other party leaders in April 2025. The man was charge-sheeted and once he was out on bail, was felicitated by Nazar. On multiple occasions Islam was seen in the presence of Gaurav Gogoi, Bordoloi has said.

The MP said he had opposed Nazar’s renomination during a screening committee meeting chaired by Priyanka Gandhi. But his reservations on the matter were rubbished at a committee meeting in New Delhi in presence of Gogoi, he claimed.

Bordoloi had indicated that this last humiliation was the trigger for his decision — which pointed to the screening committee – especially since he had written to the state Congress warning that he would resign if Nazar was re-nominated.

Congress sources said Gandhi Vadra has executed her task as the chairperson of the Screening Committee competently. The names of most candidates have already been announced, including the decision to grant a ticket to Pradyut Bordoloi’s son, though it is not known if he would accept.

Calling Bordoloi’s decision “unfortunate”, Gaurav Gogoi asserted that the Congress had given him everything.

“Just two years ago, the Congress party offered him the opportunity to contest the Lok Sabha ticket from Nagaon. He is a sitting Member of Parliament; the people of Nagaon voted for him. And in this present election, the Congress party offered an opportunity to a member of his family to contest the Vidhan Sabha elections. If our current Nagaon Lok Sabha Member of Parliament wants Himanta Biswa Sarma to continue as the Chief Minister, well, that is his decision, which is rather unfortunate,” Gogoi said.

In private conversations, Congress MPs have alluded to the role of the Enforcement Directorate and other government agencies in the matter.

The state Congress now has a list of leaders whose departures they have to explain: Bhupen Borah’s departure from the party on February 22, the defection of three MLAs from the Congress to the BJP on March 5, the switch of former Assam Congress Working President Rana Goswami to the BJP, the exit of former Assam Youth Congress President Ankita Das and Joint General Secretary Parba Das Kalita.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/assam-assembly-elections-2026-gaurav-gogoi-string-of-exits-in-assam-raises-poll-stakes-for-congress-priyanka-gandhi-11235282?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

Ashoka demanded the suspension of a few secretaries.

Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka made a strong comment against IAS officers, saying that it stands for “I Am Sorry”.

On March 16, Home Minister G Parameshwara, in the Assembly, tabled 84 answers against 230 ‘unstarred’ questions raised by lawmakers, due to which Speaker UT Khader walked out of the Assembly out of anger over the government not sufficiently answering questions.

Following the incident, Ashoka said, “This is the fifth time! Even after warnings, they have not improved. They come like Gods, they go home like Gods.”

Moreover, he demanded the suspension of a few secretaries from the Assembly. “There are a few IAS officers who haven’t come to office for 8-9 months. I’ll show records. They’ll have time to play golf, but not to provide answers to the legislature? Why should they be in service? IAS stands for I Am Sorry,” Ashoka said.

Meanwhile, Khader said he had issued “clear orders” from his chair four times. “This House isn’t for ministers. This is for lawmakers who meet once in three months to discuss their issues. All of them ask questions. Only 15 questions become ‘starred’ (they are answered on the floor of the House). If the remaining (unstarred) questions go unanswered, why should they come to this House?” Khader said.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/ias-stands-for-i-am-sorry-lop-ashoka-in-karnataka-assembly-3935319

Her health deteriorated after she had her tooth extracted at a private clinic in Hariharganj town. She was rushed to the Community Health Center. However, doctors could not save her.

A woman died under suspicious circumstances on Tuesday following a tooth extraction procedure at a private clinic in Jharkhand’s Palamu district. The owner of the clinic absconded following the patient’s death.

According to police officials, the deceased, identified as Vijayanti Devi, was a resident of Kasimpur in Bihar’s Aurangabad district. Her health deteriorated after she had a tooth extracted at a private clinic in Hariharganj town. She was rushed to the Community Health Center, but doctors could not save her.

Following the woman’s death, the clinic’s proprietor, Dr Ashraf Ali, absconded. Hariharganj Police continues to search for Dr Ali.

After the deceased’s family members filed a written complaint, accusing the doctor of gross negligence, local authorities sealed the private clinic.

Police officials are investigating the matter and are likely to file a First Information Report soon.

While the reason behind the woman’s death remains unclear, deaths by medical negligence are not unheard of across India.

In December 2025, a woman in Uttar Pradesh’s Barabanki died after a quack doctor performed her kidney stone surgery while watching a YouTube video.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jharkhand-bihar-woman-dies-after-tooth-extraction-procedure-dental-clinic-owner-on-the-run-2883487-2026-03-18

Air travel rules are set for a shake-up as the government cracks down on hidden charges and pushes airlines to prioritise passengers. What changes for your next flight and what airlines must now do.

Air travellers in India may soon see a major relief in hidden costs, with the government stepping in to curb extra charges on seat selection and tighten passenger rights across airlines.

60% SEATS TO BE FREE FOR SELECTION

In a significant move, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed airline operators to ensure that at least 60 per cent of seats on any flight are allocated free of cost for selection.

The order, issued through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, aims to make air travel more accessible and transparent.

Several airlines had been charging additional fees for preferred seat selection after ticket booking or during web check-in. The new direction seeks to address these practices and ensure “fair access” for passengers.

PASSENGERS ON SAME BOOKING TO SIT TOGETHER

The ministry has also asked airlines to ensure that passengers travelling on the same PNR are seated together, preferably in adjacent seats.

This is expected to bring relief to families and groups who often had to pay extra to secure seats next to each other.

CLEAR RULES FOR BAGGAGE, PETS AND SERVICES

The DGCA has been asked to issue further instructions to improve passenger experience across multiple areas.

Airlines will need to facilitate the carriage of sports equipment and musical instruments in a transparent and passenger-friendly manner, while adhering to safety norms.

A deadly meningitis outbreak in the UK has triggered rapid contact tracing and preventive treatment. Experts say this public health tool is crucial to contain infections, identify exposed individuals and stop outbreaks before they spread further.

A recent meningitis outbreak in Canterbury, UK, has put the spotlight back on one of public health’s most critical tools, contact tracing. The cluster, linked to a university setting and social venues, has led to two deaths and multiple hospitalisations, prompting urgent intervention by health authorities. Officials from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) quickly moved to identify individuals who had close contact with infected patients, including those who attended a popular nightclub and shared social spaces. These contacts were advised to take precautionary antibiotics to prevent further spread.

This response highlights a key reality: Infectious diseases like meningococcal meningitis can spread rapidly in close-contact settings such as universities, dormitories and social gatherings. Early identification of exposed individuals can mean the difference between a contained outbreak and a wider public health emergency.

Experts say contact tracing, systematically identifying, informing and managing people who may have been exposed, is a cornerstone of outbreak control. As seen in the UK response, it allows authorities to act quickly, break transmission chains and protect vulnerable populations from life-threatening infections.

What Is Contact Tracing And How Does It Work?

Contact tracing is a public health strategy used to identify people who may have been exposed to an infectious disease and take steps to prevent further spread.

The process typically involves:

• Identifying confirmed cases
• Mapping their recent interactions
• Notifying close contacts
• Providing testing, treatment or preventive care

For diseases like meningococcal infection, close contacts include individuals who have had prolonged or intimate exposure, such as household members, close friends or people sharing confined spaces. In the UK outbreak, this included students, classmates and individuals who attended shared social venues. Authorities moved quickly to offer antibiotics to these groups, a standard preventive strategy for meningococcal disease.

Why Contact Tracing Is Critical In Meningitis Outbreaks

Meningococcal disease, caused by Neisseria meningitidis, is rare but can become life-threatening within hours if not treated promptly. It spreads through close contact, such as coughing, sneezing, kissing or sharing utensils, making densely populated environments particularly vulnerable.

Contact tracing is especially important in such outbreaks because:

1. It Identifies High-Risk Individuals Quickly: Close contacts are at the highest risk of developing the disease. Early identification allows for immediate preventive treatment, such as antibiotics.
2. It Breaks Chains Of Transmission: By isolating cases and treating exposed individuals, contact tracing interrupts the spread of infection before it escalates.
3. It Enables Targeted Public Health Action: Instead of broad restrictions, authorities can focus interventions on specific groups, reducing disruption while maintaining effectiveness.

Lessons From The UK Outbreak

The response to the UK meningitis cluster demonstrates how contact tracing works in real-world scenarios.

Health authorities:

• Identified clusters linked to educational institutions and social venues
• Traced individuals who had close contact with infected cases
• Provided preventive antibiotics to exposed individuals
• Issued public health guidance to tens of thousands of students and staff

Such measures are crucial because meningococcal disease often affects young people in shared living environments, where transmission risk is higher. Importantly, experts emphasise that the risk to the general population remains low, with close contacts being the most vulnerable group.

Officials said the survivor comes from a poor family and her father died some time ago.

At 11, most children wouldn’t even know what an acid attack is. This 11-year-old, however, became a victim of one.

The survivor, a Class 6 student of a school in Wadgaon Pan in Maharashtra’s Ahilyanagar, was returning home after classes got over on Tuesday morning when an unidentified man threw acid on her face and fled.

On hearing the child’s screams, locals gathered at the spot, and she was immediately rushed to the Pravaranagar Hospital in Loni for medical treatment.

Officials said the survivor comes from a poor family and her father died some time ago. She now lives with her grandparents and mother, who works as a daily wage labourer to support the family.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ahilyanagar-acid-thrown-on-face-of-11-year-old-returning-from-school-in-maharashtra-11229103

During her visit to KIIT, Nita Ambani engaged with students and played with a toddler.

Nita Ambani interacted with students during her visit to the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on March 16. In one particularly sweet moment, she took a toddler into her arms and played with her, easily slipping from humanitarian into grandma mode.

Why was Nita Ambani at KIIT?

Nita Ambani, the founder-chairperson of Reliance Foundation, visited the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) on March 16. She was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate and received the prestigious Humanitarian Award 2025 by the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) during her visit.

According to Kalinga TV, Mrs Ambani was originally scheduled to spend just two hours at the institute. However, she ended up spending eight hours there as she interacted with faculty and students. She also watched cultural performances and danced with students.

Nita Ambani plays with toddler

During her visit to the KIIT campus, Nita Ambani interacted with students of KIIT International School as well. Videos shared online show the school students, dressed in blue uniforms, welcoming the billionaire philanthropist to their midst.

At one point, she approached a little girl who was in her teacher’s arms. Nita Ambani quickly slipped into grandma mode as she approached the little girl and took her into her own arms. “Oh wow, come here. Baby coming? Coming, coming, coming,” she gushed as she held the girl.

A video shared online shows her gushing over the toddler. “You know I also have four little babies,” said Nita Ambani. “She’s so cute. What’s her name?” she asked. She was informed that the little girl is called Mishti.

Nita Ambani is a grandmother to four — her elder son Akash Ambani has two children with his wife Shloka, while her daughter Isha Ambani Piramal is also a mother to twins. Ever the doting grandmother, she has been spotted playing with her grandkids on multiple occasions.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/nita-ambani-s-ultra-sweet-moment-with-toddler-wins-hearts-she-s-so-cute-101773807931539.html

The Indian government opposed the reopening, arguing that protective measures would prevent breaches of assurances given by India. Nirav’s lawyers referenced another case involving Sanjay Bhandari, who was spared extradition due to similar human rights concerns, highlighting systemic torture risks in Indian custody.

Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi has moved an application seeking permission to reopen his extradition appeal concluded in the High Court in London, claiming that he faces a “real risk of torture” during interrogations by the

investigating agencies in India.

Lord Jeremy Stuart-Smith and Justice Robert Jay, presiding over the appeal at the Royal Courts of Justice, reserved their judgment at the end of a day-long hearing on Tuesday, PTI reported.

“This case is of extreme importance, to Mr Modi and to the Indian officials who have travelled from India. We will deliver the judgment as soon as possible,” said Stuart-Smith.

The Indian government, represented by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), argued against the grounds for reopening a matter in which Nirav Modi’s extradition had been ordered nearly six years ago.

CPS barrister Helen Malcolm appealed to the court to adopt a common sense approach as the case is entirely exceptional and significant protective factors exist which will ensure the assurances given by the government of India are not breached, not least due to the prospect of adversely impacting future extradition proceedings between India and the UK.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk hailed the revocation of his detention under the National Security Act as a positive step towards rebuilding trust between the government and the people of Ladakh.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Tuesday described the revocation of his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) as a “win-win” outcome and said the Centre had extended a hand to build trust and enable meaningful dialogue with the people of Ladakh. Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi alongside his wife and HIAL co-founder Gitanjali J Angmo, Wangchuk said the protests in Ladakh have focused on initiating a constructive dialogue with the government. “We were sure of a victory in the court, but a win was not enough. I wanted a win-win,” he said.

He called the government’s decision an effort to rebuild trust and move toward a solution through talks.

“They have offered a constructive, meaningful dialogue. This is what we have wanted, and we had to struggle so much, walk to Delhi, sit on ‘anshan’ (fast). All movements in Ladakh are for starting the dialogue process,” he said.

“Usually, you see people picking up guns and the government appealing for dialogue. Here, people are urging the government to start a dialogue,” he added.

Asked about his next steps, Wangchuk said he would return to Ladakh and consult leaders of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which have led protests over the past five years. The groups are demanding statehood for Ladakh and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

On whether he would resume agitation, Wangchuk said he preferred dialogue over protest.

“I have always said I don’t want to sit on hunger strike; I am forced to do it. Now that the government is extending its hand, we hope a good example is set,” he said.

Wangchuk, 59, had been detained on September 26 last year under the stringent NSA, two days after violent protests during the agitation left four people dead. He was released from Jodhpur Central Jail on Saturday after the Union government revoked his detention.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/sonam-wangchuk-first-remarks-after-release-win-win-centre-signals-ladakh-dialogue-article-153856221

The deal is ready. It has not been called off and there is nothing like a stand-off between the two nations, said Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal.

The United States is trying to create a tariff architecture globally, so, it’s better to sign the trade deal once they set the framework, said India’s Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal on the India-US trade deal on Monday. The trade agreement, announced in the first week of February, was to be signed in March. However, the tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on other nations over “unfair trade” were recently struck by the US court as “unlawful”.

Subsequently, the US President announced a 10 per cent uniform tariff on import from all nations under Article 122 of US Constitution. “Actual signing of the deal will be done when new architecture of tariffs will be created by the US. We’ll wait for tariff clarity first,” said Agrawal. He, however, added, “The deal is ready. It has not been called off and there is nothing like a stand-off between the two nations.”

Agrawal made the remarks while presenting India’s trade deficit data for February. As per government data, India’s trade deficit narrowed in February even as the country’s imports jumped significantly. While India’s exports stood at $36.61 billion in February, dropping marginally by 0.81 per cent compared with a year ago, the country’s imports jumped 24.11 per cent to $63.71 billion.

Even with higher imports, the trade deficit — difference between imports and exports — reduced to $27.1 billion in February. For February, analysts had expected the trade gap to be around $28.8 billion. In January, the deficit was much higher at $34.68 billion.

The February numbers come at a time when major trade routes have been disrupted due to the ongoing conflict in Iran, which began on February 280. The conflict has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow sea route that carries a large share of the world’s oil and gas supplies. Freight costs have also risen, adding uncertainty to global trade. Therefore, economists say that India’s trade deficit for the month of March could be much higher.

Notably, India depends heavily on energy imports. It buys more than 80 per cent of its crude oil and about 60 per cent of its cooking gas from overseas, with a large share coming from the Middle East. Since the beginning of the fresh conflict in Iran, India has increased its oil import from Russia, but not at the same discounted price as before.

According to a Financial Times report, India is now paying about $10-20 more per barrel for Russian oil. Commerce Secretary Agrawal also said that the increase is linked to disruptions in global energy supply caused by the ongoing conflict. Earlier this month, the US granted a 30-day waiver to India to buy “sanctioned” Russian oil.

The conflict has not just raised our import bill but also affected exports of goods such as rice to countries like Iran, Iraq, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. India’s exports could slow in March due to logistical problems linked to the crisis in the Middle East, said Agrawal.

US Remains India’s Largest Export Market

For the broader April-February period of the current financial year (2025-26), India’s exports rose 1.84 per cent to $402.93 billion, according to the commerce ministry. Imports also increased during the period, climbing 8.53 per cent to $713.53 billion.

The United States remained India’s largest export market during this period. Exports to the US rose from $76.36 billion in April-February FY25 to $79.29 billion in April-February FY26. After the US, the United Arab Emirates was the second-largest destination for Indian exports, followed by China.

Gold Imports Show Mixed Trend

The data also showed an interesting trend in gold imports. In terms of quantity, India imported 8 per cent less gold between April 2025 and January 2026. But in terms of value, the gold import bill rose 20.06 per cent during the same period. This happened because global gold prices have increased.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/better-to-sign-when-us-sets-global-tariff-architecture-india-on-trade-deal-11222211

Haarish Ali, a resident of Saharanpur district, was arrested in Moradabad on Sunday during an ongoing probe into activities of ISIS-linked online networks operating in India, a statement from the ATS said.

The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested a 19-year-old student pursuing dentistry for allegedly having links with an online module of the banned terror outfit ISIS, officials said on Monday.

Haarish Ali, a resident of Saharanpur district, was arrested in Moradabad on Sunday during an ongoing probe into activities of ISIS-linked online networks operating in India, a statement from the ATS said.

The second-year BDS student is alleged to have been associated with ISIS handlers and sympathisers through social media platforms such as Instagram and encrypted applications like Session and Discord, officials said.

According to the ATS, intelligence inputs indicated that some individuals in Uttar Pradesh and other parts of the country were creating online groups to propagate ISIS ideology aimed at establishing a Sharia-based caliphate system and recruit people to strengthen the terror outfit in India.

The groups were allegedly used to share propaganda materials, extremist literature and instructions related to ISIS activities.

Based on the inputs, a case was registered at the ATS police station in Lucknow under relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the statement said.

During the investigation, it was found that the accused allegedly created several groups using pseudonyms and virtual private networks (VPNs) to recruit like-minded individuals and circulate ISIS propaganda, it said.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/19-year-old-dental-student-haarish-ali-arrested-by-anti-terrorism-squad-ats-for-links-with-isis-online-module-in-uttar-pradesh-11225638

A controversy over the secrecy of votes has delayed the counting process in the Haryana Rajya Sabha Election, with complaints filed by both the Congress and the BJ against each other’s MLAs.

A controversy over the secrecy of votes has delayed the counting process in the Haryana Rajya Sabha Election, with complaints filed by both the Congress and the BJ against each other’s MLAs.

Speaking to NDTV, Haryana Cabinet Minister Krishan Bedi explained the sequence of events that led to the delay in counting.

According to Bedi, a Congress MLA filed a complaint with the Returning Officer against Haryana Minister Anil Vij, alleging that he violated the rules of voting secrecy. In response, Haryana Minister Gaurav Gautam lodged a complaint against Congress MLA Paramveer Singh, while Bedi himself filed a complaint against Congress MLA Bharat Beniwal.

After the voting concluded, the Returning Officer heard arguments from all parties. Following discussions, the officer decided to refer the matter to the Election Commission of India for further examination. The counting of votes will begin only after the Commission gives its direction.

Bedi claimed that Congress MLA Paramveer Singh showed his ballot to Haryana Congress in-charge BK Hariprasad but did not fold the ballot paper afterwards, which he alleged violated secrecy norms.

He also alleged that former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who was acting as a polling agent, touched the ballot paper when Congress MLA Bharat Beniwal showed him his vote, another alleged breach of voting secrecy. According to Bedi, video footage reportedly shows Hooda touching Beniwal’s ballot.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/haryana-rajya-sabha-polls-voting-secrecy-row-delays-counting-11224618

Despite support from Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM and the BSP, the Mahagathbandhan could not muster the required figure of 41

In the Rajya Sabha elections being held for five seats in Bihar, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is considered certain to win all five. However, despite support from Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM and the BSP, the Mahagathbandhan could not muster the required figure of 41.

Three Congress MLAs and one RJD MLA did not turn up to vote.

Surendra Prasad Kushwaha

He’s a first-time MLA from Bihar’s Valmiki Nagar. In 2015, he contested on a ticket from Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP). He was defeated by independent candidate Rinku Singh.

Rinku later joined the JD(U), while Surendra Kushwaha joined the Congress. In the 2020 election, he defeated the JD(U) candidate by 1,675 votes. However, he had already been trying to move into the NDA camp.

During the Rajya Sabha election, Alok Singh, the state president of Upendra Kushwaha’s new party Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), had met him. Surendra Kushwaha is also a member of the Bihar assembly’s petition committee.

Manoj Bishwas

Bishwas, the first-time MLA from Forbesganj, entered the house with a margin of just 221 votes. His party affiliations have shifted over the years: JD(U) block president in 2019, then RJD, and this time a Congress candidate. In the run-up to the election, he was seen as close to Purnia MP Pappu Yadav.

Manohar Prasad Singh

Manohar Prasad Singh has won the Manihari seat for a fourth time. A member of the Scheduled Tribes community, he was first elected on a JD(U) ticket. When the Mahagathbandhan was formed in 2015 and the seat fell to the Congress, he crossed over at Nitish Kumar’s urging and contested on the new ticket. He has remained a Congress MLA since, though his political proximity to JD(U) leaders continued through these terms.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bihar-rajya-sabha-elections-2026-the-4-mahagathbandhan-mlas-who-skipped-rajya-sabha-voting-in-bihar-11223048

Hardeep Singh Puri’s daughter moves Delhi HC in a Rs 10 crore defamation case seeking removal of content linking her to Jeffrey Epstein.

Himayani Puri, daughter of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, has moved the Delhi High Court seeking removal of online content that allegedly links her to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. In her plea, she has sought a permanent injunction and Rs 10 crore in damages from several social media entities and unidentified individuals named as John Doe defendants.

According to the petition, the defendants have fabricated and disseminated baseless allegations suggesting that Puri maintained direct or indirect business, financial, personal, or “network” links with Jeffrey Epstein and his criminal activities.

The plea further states that some publications falsely claimed that Puri or Realm Partners LLC – the firm where she worked – received funding, financial benefits, or tainted money from Epstein or his associates. It also alleges that certain posts claimed that Robert Millard acted with Puri to engineer the collapse of Lehman Brothers.

Puri has told the court that these allegations are “entirely false, malicious, and devoid of any factual foundation.”

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/hardeep-singh-puri-daughter-moves-delhi-hc-over-epstein-link-seeks-rs-10-crore-damages-article-153846277

A massive fire broke out in parts of three hotels in Pahalgam’s Larri Pora area of Jammu and Kashmir. The buildings have sustained heavy damage, with a gas cylinder blast worsening the situation and hampering firefighting and relief efforts, according to a Fire Department official.

A massive fire broke out in parts of three hotels in Pahalgam’s Larri Pora area of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, triggering a swift response from fire and emergency services. Thick plumes of smoke were seen billowing from the affected structures as flames spread rapidly across sections of the properties.

Fire tenders were rushed to the spot and efforts are currently underway to bring the blaze under control. No casualties have been reported so far.

“Two-three buildings have suffered extensive damages. Gas cylinder blast made the matters worse. It also prevented us from carrying out relief work,” Munzoor Ahmad, a Fire Department official, told news agency PTI.

See more

VIDEO | Jammu and Kashmir: Fire engulfs parts of three hotels in Pahalgam’s Larri Pora. Efforts underway to control the blaze. More details are awaited.#Pahalgam #JammuAndKashmir

(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/Pe6d6Trmmg

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 17, 2026

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/pahalgam-fire-fire-engulfs-three-hotels-in-jammu-and-kashmir-pahalgam-efforts-on-to-douse-flames-article-153851293

In one of the most unexpected collaborations, singer and rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh recently collaborated with the Delhi Police to advise the Indian youth about staying away from drugs and addiction.

In a collaboration that absolutely no one saw coming- probably NOT even the collaborators themselves– a video was shared by the Delhi Police, in collaboration with singer and rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh– to “suggest and advise” the Indian youth about staying away from drugs! Wait, what? Yes, the clip began with footage of the singer singing at his concerts, which then moved on to him addressing the youth directly. In the video, the singer was seen asking the younger generation to “stay away from drugs”. The message was reportedly on behalf of the Delhi Police and the Narcotics Department of India.

The singer also stated that the country will only move forward if its youth decides to avoid getting into any kind of addiction.

“I want to give this suggestion and advice to the youth, on behalf of the Delhi Police and Narcotics Department of India– stay away from drugs and keep yourself safe from addiction. If our youth remain healthy, only then will our country move forward. Thank you so much,” the singer said in the video.

As per the post, the collaboration was under the “Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan”.

On Saturday, two Indian-flag LPG carriers—Shivalik and Nanda Devi—carrying about 92,712 tonnes of LPG crossed the war-hit Strait of Hormuz.

The Centre on Sunday said that an Indian-flagged crude tanker sailed out safely from the UAE’s Fujairah after loading oil, despite an attack on the oil terminal.

The vessel, Jag Laadki, carrying about 80,800 tonnes of Murban crude oil, departed Fujairah at 1030 hrs IST and is bound for India, with all crew members safe, the government said in an update on preparedness measures. This is the fourth Indian-flagged vessel to have come out of the war zone unharmed.

“On March 14, 2026, while the Indian-flag vessel Jag Laadki was loading crude oil at the Fujairah Single Point Mooring, the Fujairah oil terminal was attacked. The vessel sailed safely from Fujairah at 1030 hrs IST today (Sunday) carrying about 80,800 tonnes of Murban crude oil, and is bound for India,” the update said.

On Saturday, two Indian-flag LPG carriers—Shivalik and Nanda Devi—carrying about 92,712 tonnes of LPG crossed the war-hit Strait of Hormuz.

Shivalik is due to reach Mundra port in Gujarat on March 16, and Nanda Devi would dock at Kandla port on March 17, according to the update.

The government said Indian vessels and seafarers operating in the region remain safe, and maritime operations are being closely monitored. At present, 22 Indian-flagged vessels with 611 seafarers remain on the west side of the Persian Gulf region.

The Director General of Shipping has facilitated the safe repatriation of 276 Indian seafarers from the Gulf region so far, including 23 repatriations in the past 24 hours from airports and regional locations.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/indian-tanker-leaves-uaes-fujairah-safely-amid-attack-3933072

The ongoing shortage of commercial LPG cylinders in India, caused by energy supply disruptions from the Gulf, is impacting temples and religious institutions. Many have limited food offerings or sought alternative energy sources.

An ongoing shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, triggered by disruptions in energy supplies from the Gulf region, is beginning to affect temples and religious institutions across India, with several restricting food offerings to devotees while others turn to alternative fuel sources to continue services.

At Jagannath Mandir in Hauz Khas, New Delhi, temple authorities have temporarily stopped online bookings for Anna Prasad and sweets due to the cooking gas shortage.

In a notice issued to devotees, the temple management said, “Due to the current Government restrictions on cooking gas supply, the online booking of Anna Prasad and Sweets at Jagannath Mandir, Hauz Khas is temporarily closed until further orders. We regret the inconvenience and request your kind understanding and cooperation. Updates will be shared once the situation normalizes.”

The LPG crunch is linked to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has disrupted energy supplies passing through the Strait of Hormuz — a key global shipping route for oil and gas.

While some temples have been forced to scale down or suspend food services, others are finding ways to keep traditions alive.

Belur Math in West Bengal’s Howrah district has continued distributing bhog to thousands of devotees by relying on alternative energy sources such as biogas and solar power, according to news agency PTI. Belur Math, the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, serves meals daily to large numbers of visitors, residents and devotees as part of its long-standing tradition of community service inspired by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda.

A senior monk said the temple has managed to keep its kitchen functioning because it does not rely entirely on LPG cylinders.

“As we do not solely rely on LPG cylinders for cooking, we have been able to keep our commitment and service to devotees unhindered. We have fully tapped other energy resources,” the monk said, according to PTI.

“One of the key alternatives is a biogas plant that produces fuel from waste generated at our cowshed. The organic gas generated from cattle waste meets a substantial portion of the kitchen’s cooking requirements,” the monk said.

In addition, a large solar power installation on the campus generates electricity that is used for heating water and supporting electrical cooking processes.

However, the situation is more challenging for other temples that rely heavily on LPG.

In Uttar Pradesh, Congress leader Ajay Rai claimed that the LPG shortage had forced the closure of the “Maa Annapurna Ki Rasoi” in Kashi, which serves food to large numbers of people every day.

“What kind of blow is this to the centuries-old traditions of Kashi, Narendra Modi ji? It is a matter of deep anguish that, due to a severe shortage of LPG, even Kashi’s sacred ‘Maa Annapurna Ki Rasoi’ has been forced to shut down today. A door from where no one ever returned hungry, today even sadhus, saints, and devotees are being compelled to go back without a meal,” Rai wrote on X.

Temple officials also confirmed that cooking operations had been severely affected.

Mahant Shankar Giri Maharaj said that earlier the temple received one or two gas cylinders regularly but the supply has now stopped.

“One of our two operational units has been shut since morning, and the second unit is also on the verge of closure,” he said.

Before the crisis, the temple served meals to 20,000 to 25,000 people every day, but now arrangements could be made for only about 3,000 devotees, he said.

Local authorities, however, said the shortage claims were exaggerated. Varanasi District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar said there was no shortage of LPG in the city and assured that gas would be supplied to the temple soon. He also warned people against spreading “rumours” about a gas shortage, reports PTI.

The shortage is also affecting temples in Karnataka, where several major shrines have reported difficulties in preparing prasada for devotees.

About 15 major Muzrai temples in the state are facing operational challenges due to the shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, according to The Hindu.

At the well-known Banashankari temple in Bengaluru, which usually serves meals to 3,000 to 5,000 devotees daily, officials say the shortage has created difficulties in running the temple kitchen. “Due to the shortage, we are facing some difficulty in preparing prasada. However, we are making sure that devotees are served and will make arrangements somehow,” temple kitchen manager Devraj said.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/are-temple-prasad-and-bhog-services-disrupted-due-to-lpg-crisis-article-153835009

A Pakistani terrorist was gunned down by the security forces along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Indian Army successfully foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir, eliminating a Pakistani terrorist. Warlike stores, including an AK rifle, pistols and large quantity of ammunition, were also recovered.

The Army on Sunday said that an infiltration bid along the LoC in Uri and a Pakistani terrorist was killed. “Based on a specific intelligence input provided by #JKP regarding an infiltration attempt, a joint operation was launched on intervening night of 14-15 Mar 26 in Gen area Buchhar, Uri sector,” Srinagar-based Chinar Corps of the Army posted on its X handle.

It said troops spotted suspicious movement of a terrorist in the thicket.

“The ambush was readjusted and the terrorist was challenged resulting in terrorist opening indiscriminate fire. In the Contact a Pak terrorist was eliminated. Warlike stores including an AK rifle, pistols and large quantity of ammunition have been recovered,” the army said. The operation is on going.

CEC Gyanesh Kumar said Bengal will go to polls in two phases, so it is “convenient” for people while government sources indicated logistical constraints and political calculations

The Election Commission of India has done away with the usual multiple-phase polling schedule in West Bengal, which will vote in two phases for the first time in 25 years.

The 2026 assembly election in West Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 and 29, with the counting of votes on May 4. The Election Commission (EC) announced the polling schedule for West Bengal, Assam, Keralam, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Sunday.

Chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar said Bengal will go to polls in two phases so it is “convenient” for the electorate.

“The commission held deliberations and discussions on this and it was decided to bring the two-phase (election) for West Bengal to make it convenient for people,” Gyanesh Kumar said during a press conference, when asked why the EC decided to change the polling norm in Bengal.

Government sources, however, indicated logistical constraints as well as political calculations as a reason behind the shift to a two-phase polling schedule in Bengal.

For nearly two decades, elections in the politically volatile eastern state have been synonymous with long, staggered polling schedules. Since 2006, the polls have unfolded in five or more phases.

HOW HAS POLLING LOOKED SO FAR IN BENGAL?

After 2006, assembly elections in Bengal have almost always been stretched across multiple phases because of the state’s complex security and logistical requirements.

Since that year, the state has never seen fewer than five phases in the assembly polls.

2006 assembly election: 5 phases

2011 assembly election: 6 phases

2016 assembly election: 7 phases

2021 assembly election: 8 phases

Hence, the current development is significant. For the first time in nearly 25 years, polling in Bengal is being held in only two phases. This is a massive change from the multi-phase polling the state is used to.

Multi-phase polling was largely conducted due to security concerns and the logistical challenge of deploying central forces across a politically volatile state, as cited by the EC. Against this backdrop, the change in the norm is a departure from the polling body’s earlier stance on the law-and-order situation.

WHY THIS DEPARTURE FROM THE NORM?

Bengal will vote in such a compressed schedule for the first time in 25 years, signalling either a significant shift in the EC’s assessment of the law-and-order situation or a recalibration of election management and machinery in one of India’s most politically charged states.

According to sources in the government, the shift to a two-phase election in West Bengal reflects both logistical constraints and political calculations.

The sources said initially, a single-phase poll was discussed but that would have required at least 4,000 companies of central forces to secure around 80,000 polling booths across the state. This is a deployment neither the Centre nor the state could realistically sustain.

They said the ongoing legal tussle over the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has complicated the election timeline. The judiciary is expected to quickly conclude appeals to avoid uncertainty before the date of nomination and the constitutional deadline of May 4, by which time a new government must be in place. Hence, no stakeholder wants the process to drift towards President’s Rule, they added.

A senior officer said in this context, the EC has opted for two phases requiring roughly more than 2,000 companies of paramilitary forces at a time, making deployment manageable.

Source : https://www.news18.com/elections/bengal-election-two-phase-voting-first-time-25-years-why-did-ec-do-away-long-staggered-polling-ws-l-9961843.html

After 13 years in a coma, Harish Rana was shifted to AIIMS for court-approved passive euthanasia. Doctors will gradually withdraw life support under supervision, ending his prolonged vegetative state.

After 13 years in a vegetative state, 32-year-old Harish Rana was on Saturday shifted from Ghaziabad to AIIMS Delhi following a Supreme Court order permitting passive euthanasia. Doctors will now gradually withdraw life support under medical supervision, aiming to end his prolonged suffering.

A video circulating on social media captured a deeply emotional farewell at Rana’s home in Ghaziabad. Shot Friday, it showed a Brahma Kumaris sister with tearful eyes offering final words: “Forgive everyone, ask forgiveness from all, now it’s time to go. It’s okay”.

Harish’s family, particularly his father Ashok Rana, has been devotedly caring for him for over a decade. Members of the Rajnagar Extension AOA and local society recall the family’s unwavering service, aided by their long association with the Brahma Kumaris center. On March 13, spiritual leader Sister Kumari Lovely Didi visited the Rana household, performing a ritual tilak and praying for him.

The case marked India’s first court-sanctioned passive euthanasia. Harish’s prolonged condition followed a severe brain injury from a fall 13 years ago. While medical experts agreed his state was irreversible, the Supreme Court had to clarify that withdrawal of nutrition and medical tubes– beyond ventilator support — could legally constitute passive euthanasia.

A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan delivered the historic verdict, enabling the family to end life support in a hospital setting, allowing Harish Rana to die with dignity. The case has sparked fresh debate in medical and legal circles about end-of-life rights in India.

Rana, an engineering student at Panjab University and a football-loving sporty young man, suffered head injuries after falling from the fourth floor of his paying guest accommodation in 2013 and has been in a coma since.

Shortly after the ruling, the father of Harish Rana said that the Supreme Court permitting the withdrawal of artificial life support to his son won’t bring any personal benefit to the family but in the larger public interest, the decision could help others facing similar situations.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/harish-rana-passive-euthanasia-viral-goodbye-video-as-man-in-coma-dignified-death-supreme-court-2882461-2026-03-15

The subsequent discovery of a lengthy suicide note provided a harrowing account of the “cruelty and coercion” he reportedly faced at the hands of his peers since January 2026.

The investigation into the tragic death of a final-year MBBS student at AIIMS Rajkot has taken a significant turn. Following a detailed 17-page suicide note, the Gandhigram Police have arrested five fellow medical students on charges of mental and physical torture that allegedly led to the victim’s suicide.

The victim, a native of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, was found dead near a railway track on March 14, 2026. The subsequent discovery of a lengthy suicide note provided a harrowing account of the “cruelty and coercion” he reportedly faced at the hands of his peers since January 2026.

According to the complaint filed by the victim’s father, the five accused—who hail from Rajasthan, Haryana, and Bharuch—allegedly targeted the victim over a perceived relationship with a female student. The victim’s note detailed a specific incident of physical assault on January 27 and described a persistent atmosphere of intimidation.

ACP Chintan Patel of the SC/ST Cell confirmed that the five students have been booked under the following: BNS Section 108: Abetment of suicide, section 3(5): Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention, the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The investigation revealed that this was not the first time the victim had reached out for help. In January, he reportedly attempted suicide and named the same five individuals. However, no formal police action was taken at that time, as the family did not press charges—a missed opportunity that has now come under heavy scrutiny.

The arrests coincide with the commencement of the final-year MBBS examinations. Following their production in court, the accused filed a petition requesting permission to appear for their papers.

The court has granted permission for the students to take their exams, but under strict conditions: that they will remain in police custody and that they will be transported to and from the examination hall under heavy police escort.

Source :https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/17-page-suicide-note-by-aiims-rajkot-student-leads-to-arrest-of-5-students-11219718

Restaurants and eateries, which represent one of the largest commercial consumers, have been allotted the largest share at 42 per cent of the regulated supply.

The Delhi government issued an order on Saturday, capping the daily regulated distribution of commercial LPG cylinders at roughly 20 per cent of the city’s average consumption.

The directive follows instructions from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and intends to ensure that essential services continue to receive fuel amid the escalating military conflict between Iran and the US that has put international supply routes in distress.

“Delhi typically records a daily sale of around 9,000 commercial LPG cylinders (19-kg equivalent). Under the new system, approximately 1,800 cylinders per day will be distributed through a priority-based allocation mechanism coordinated with the three oil marketing companies (OMCs),” said the order issued by the Department of Food, Supplies and Consumer Affairs.

Under the distribution framework, sectors have been classified into eight priority categories.

“Educational institutions, hospitals, railways and airports have been placed in the highest priority bracket and will be supplied up to 100 per cent of their requirement due to the essential nature of their services,” the order said, adding that government departments and public sector institutions operating canteens fall under the second priority category.

Restaurants and eateries, which represent one of the largest commercial consumers, have been allotted the largest share at 42 per cent of the regulated supply.

Under the policy, hotels, hospitality units and guest houses have been assigned a smaller quota, while dairies, bakeries and sweet shops also feature among the higher consumption categories.

Caterers and banquet halls, along with sectors such as dry cleaning, packaging units, pharmaceutical units and sports facilities, have been included in subsequent priority groups.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/delhi/delhi-govt-caps-commercial-lpg-supply-at-20-of-average-consumption-announces-priority-allocation-3932125#google_vignette

Fathali, however, did not specify the number of vessels that have been allowed to pass through.

Amid the escalating conflict in West Asia, Iranian ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, on Saturday said Iran has “allowed some ships” to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic trade route.

He, however, did not specify the number of vessels that have been allowed to pass through.

During an interactive session held at the India Today Conclave 2026, Fathali was asked if Iran has “allowed passage to Indian ships” stranded in the Strait of Hormuz and for how many days, given the looming LPG shortage, and the series of telephonic conversations between the foreign ministers of the two countries.

“Yes, we have allowed, but let me not tell how many,” he said.

During the session, Fathali made the remarks largely in Persian, which was interpreted in English by Javad Hosseini, the deputy chief of mission at the Iranian embassy in India.

As several India-flagged vessels remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, Fathali on Friday had told reporters that “we will try our best” to resolve the issue.

Earlier in the day, a senior official in the shipping ministry said two Indian ships — Shivalik and Nanda Devi — carrying LPG from the Gulf countries crossed the Strait of Hormuz early on Saturday morning, raising the number of Indian vessels safely passing through the war-hit, narrow shipping lane to three.

The remaining 22 ships on the west side of the strait are on standby as the Indian government engages with governments in the region to ensure their safe passage.

India imports 60 per cent of its LPG needs, with 85-90 per cent of this being sourced from Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which use the Strait of Hormuz as a transit for shipping oil and gas. The strait has been effectively closed since the first week of March.

The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic narrow sea lane between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

During the interactive session, Fathali also emphasised that Iran and India have historical relations, and added, “I believe Iran and India also have common interests.” “I also believe if there is any rift or gap between these two countries, their enemies will use it… Both sides have the maturity that they can handle these political and social issues together and solve everything,” he said.

He was also asked about the phone call on Thursday night between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during which they discussed the “serious situation” in West Asia.

“We are now supporting each other,” Fathali said, and asserted that Indians also feel the pain Iranians are suffering. “We have to enhance the relationship between India and Iran.

The Iranian envoy, when asked if the country anticipated such an attack, said, “Iran is ready for negotiations and the war. But we prefer negotiations… We had entered into negotiations. But, despite well intentions…” Fathali said Iran is “ready for this war”, and reiterated that “you can start, but you cannot finish”.

The West Asia conflict began after the US and Israel launched a major military attack on Iran on February 28, killing 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran, in retaliation, attacked several Gulf nations hosting American military bases, impacting global aviation operations, oil prices and triggering a looming energy crisis.

On the killing of Khamenei, the envoy said, “We have lost our great figure, our great leader, and I want to say that… great father.” “His Eminence stood on the right side of history… Iranian people and all free nations are deeply saddened over this martyrdom,” he added.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/we-have-allowed-some-ships-iranian-envoy-fathali-on-passage-of-vessels-via-strait-of-hormuz-3932185

During a gathering in poll-bound Assam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says it was expected that the Congress would play the role of a responsible political party, but it failed yet again to prioritise national interest

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (March 14, 2026) said the Congress was capitalising on the war in West Asia to create panic in India.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating and initiating various development projects in poll-bound Assam’s Silchar, he said the Centre was working hard to minimise the impact of the war on the citizens of the country.

Silchar is the epicentre of Barak Valley, where the journey of the Bharatiya Janata Party to become a major political force in the Northeast began in the 1990s.

“We expected Congress to play the role of a responsible political party, but it failed yet again to prioritise national interest. Congress is trying hard to ensure people in the country panic and get trapped in a difficult situation, so that it can go after Modi,” the Prime Minister said.

“Congress has no vision for the country and every citizen in Assam should be wary of the party,” he added.

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From Silchar, several projects aimed at strengthening connectivity and boosting the agricultural education ecosystem in the region are being launched. https://t.co/2L9UA2W8ok

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 14, 2026

Mr. Modi said every State in the country has been teaching Congress a lesson after it got ejected from Assam. “Congress is losing one election after another,” he said.

Mr. Modi, who initiated and inaugurated a slew of Assam-specific projects from Guwahati on Friday (March 13, 2026), laid the foundation stone for the ₹24,000-crore Shillong-Silchar High-Speed Corridor. He said the access-controlled corridor, the first of its kind in the Northeast, would help the region gain faster access to the vast markets of Southeast Asia.

“Barak Valley was the hub of trade and culture until Congress partitioned the country in such a way that it cut off the region’s access to the sea. Congress has deliberately kept the region backward, while BJP has been trying to make it grow,” he said, alluding to the foundation stone he laid for an agricultural university at Patharkandi in Barak Valley’s Sribhumi district.

Mr. Modi further said that the BJP believed in prioritising the needs of those who have been left behind in the race for development. “Border villages were once considered the last villages, but our government views them as the first villages of the nation,” he said.

The Prime Minister noted that the Vibrant Village Programme, expanded from Cachar district, changed lives in border habitations significantly. He said that the historical neglect of these areas was now being replaced by proactive development and strategic focus.

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Kokrajhar is closely associated with the glorious Bodo culture. Addressing a programme via video conferencing during the launch of development projects aimed at boosting the region’s growth.
https://t.co/bPn06JBhwj

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 13, 2026

Source : https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/assam/assam-assembly-elections-pm-modi-in-silchar-projects-unveiled/article70742757.ece

 

A Bangladeshi national, Philip Sangma, has been arrested in West Bengal for allegedly facilitating the illegal border crossing of the suspects involved in the killing of Osman Hadi in Bangladesh.

West Bengal Police’s Special Task Force (STF) has arrested a Bangladeshi national in connection with the murder of the 32-year-old Bangladeshi political activist Sharif Osman Hadi in Dhaka in December 2025, marking a significant breakthrough in the investigation. The accused, identified as Philip Sangma, is suspected to be a key middleman who facilitated illegal border crossings.

The arrest follows the interrogation of the primary suspects in the case, Faisal and Alamgir. During questioning in STF custody, the duo revealed that they had illegally entered India from Bangladesh through the Meghalaya border with the assistance of Sangma, a resident of Haluaghat in Bangladesh.

Acting on a tip-off, West Bengal Police commandos conducted a pre-dawn raid on Saturday near the Shantipur Bypass area and took Sangma into custody. During preliminary questioning, he confessed to operating a cross-border trafficking network that facilitated the movement of individuals between Haluaghat in Bangladesh and Dalupara in Meghalaya in exchange for money, according to police sources.

Sangma also admitted to helping Faisal and Alamgir infiltrate Indian territory through the forested terrain of Meghalaya. According to investigators, he later crossed into India himself to evade mounting pressure from the Bangladesh Police. At the time of his arrest, he was allegedly coordinating with Faisal and Alamgir to plan their illegal return to Bangladesh.

Philip Sangma was produced before a court on Saturday. The STF has been granted police custody of the accused to further probe the extent of the trafficking network and examine its possible links to other criminal activities. Investigators believe Sangma’s testimony will play a key role in reconstructing the movements of the suspects involved in the high-profile murder case.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bangladeshi-trafficker-held-in-bengal-for-helping-killers-of-activist-osman-hadi-cross-border-2882012-2026-03-14

The veiled swipe referenced Arvind Kejriwal given a clean chit by a court in Delhi in the liquor policy case last month. During the hearing, the judge tore into the CBI and said the entire case was based on conjecture and surmise, lacking any admissible evidence.

Aam Aadmi Party supremo and ex-Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal slammed the central government on Saturday following the cancellation of detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk after nearly six months. Taking to X, Kejriwal said that the turn of events caused the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-headed government to stand “exposed once again”.

“A scientist and climate activist who had dedicated his life to the nation was arrested without any evidence. The months he spent in jail were not only a personal loss for him but also a loss to the country. This sheer dictatorship must be called out and stopped immediately,” the AAP chief tweeted.

The veiled swipe referenced Kejriwal given a clean chit by a court in Delhi in the liquor policy case. During the hearing, the judge tore into the CBI and said the entire case was based on conjecture and surmise, lacking any admissible evidence.

Wangchuk was detained in September last year under the stringent National Security Act (NSA), two days after protests over statehood demands for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution triggered massive unrest in the Union Territory. Over 45 people were wounded, including 22 police personnel.

He was kept in Jodhpur Central Jail, where he had already undergone almost half of the detention under the NSA, according to the Centre’s statement. He was released at around 1.30 pm earlier in the day.

In its statement, the central government said it remains committed to fostering an environment of stability, peace and mutual trust in Ladakh to enable constructive and meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/arvind-kejriwal-slams-narendra-modi-government-sonam-wangchuk-detention-cancelled-central-government-exposed-once-again-2882092-2026-03-14

Family members alleged that the company forced Deonandan Prasad Singh to rejoin duty three days before the war began when the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28.

A 54-year-old seafarer from Kandivli, Deonandan Prasad Singh, was killed after the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker MT Safesea Vishnu, on which he was serving, came under attack near Khor Al Zubair Port close to Basra, Iraq, on Wednesday. The information was confirmed by the director general of shipping under the ministry of port, shipping and waterways.

In a press release issued on March 12, the ministry confirmed the death of one Indian seafarer. An official said Singh, who was serving as the additional chief engineer (superintendent) on the vessel, died following the attack.

A ministry official said Singh sustained severe injuries during the incident and later succumbed to them. Authorities and relevant maritime agencies have been informed, and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack is underway.

Family alleges he was forced to rejoin ship amid war

Singh’s family said he had been on shore duty for more than seven years after leaving sailing work. He had earlier served on the engineering side for nearly 25 years.

Family members alleged that the company forced him to rejoin a ship three days before the war began when the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28.

“Singh was killed almost two weeks after he joined the vessel in Iraq. It is sort of forcing him to join as he had signed the agreement with the company and in a corporate world one has to abide by the company’s rules and regulations. Despite having stopped sailing and having taken a shore desk job, he was sent to die. The company forced him to join the ship as per the contract clause he had signed and he joined the ship in Iraq three days before the war began,” a family member said as quoted by Times of India.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/indian-seafarer-from-mumbai-killed-in-iranian-strike-on-us-tanker-family-says-he-was-forced-to-join-war-9959891.html

 

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, through which a significant portion of global oil supplies passes each day.

Several Indian Navy warships are stationed near the Persian Gulf and are on standby to assist merchant vessels heading towards India, sources confirmed on Sunday.

According to news agency ANI, sources said the warships remain ready to provide any assistance or help required by merchant vessels.

The development comes after Iranian authorities granted transit through the Strait of Hormuz to two Indian-flagged vessels carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). One of them is the Shivalik, which, according to a vessel traffic monitoring site, was last reported in the Gulf of Oman and is expected to reach its destination by March 21.

The operation comes at a time when the region has witnessed rising maritime risks linked to the broader conflict in West Asia.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, through which a significant portion of global oil supplies passes each day.

On Friday, the Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Ministry issued an update on the maritime situation in the Persian Gulf region and the measures being taken to ensure the safety of Indian seafarers and vessels.

The ministry said that 24 Indian-flagged vessels with 668 Indian seafarers were operating in the Persian Gulf. It added that 76 Indian seafarers remain on three vessels east of the Strait of Hormuz.

The ministry stated that DG Shipping continues to coordinate with ship owners, RPSL agencies and Indian missions, while all Indian vessels and crew are being actively monitored. It added that since the activation of the 24-hour control room, DG Shipping has handled over 2,425 calls and 4,441 emails, and has facilitated the safe repatriation of more than 223 stranded Indian seafarers.

Source : https://www.news18.com/world/indian-navy-deploys-warships-near-persian-gulf-to-assist-merchant-vessels-report-ws-kl-9961110.html

Central government has included a US based quadrivalent vaccine, Gardasil in the national immunisation program

As the UT administration launches a fresh push to vaccinate girls against cervical cancer, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine hesitancy persists, fuelled by the contentious history of Gardasil vaccine in India. To combat the high burden of cervical cancer, India’s second most common cancer in women, the central government launched a nationwide free HPV vaccination campaign on February 28. The initiative targets girls aged 14, providing a single-dose free of cost vaccine in government hospitals to reduce cancer incidence.

Central government has included a US based quadrivalent vaccine, Gardasil in the national immunisation program. Despite the free availability of vaccine in Government Multi Specialty Hospital (GMSH-16), low response has been seen. On the launch of campaign, only 13 girls came forward for the vaccine. The reason for its unpopularity remains the online campaign calling it harmful and lacking a long term placebo controlled trial of the vaccine to show its efficacy. Gardasil, a vaccine manufactured by Bill Gates owned company Merck & Co. has been engulfed with controversies in India. In 2013, a parliamentary standing committee report on Gardasil vaccine trials had found serious ethical, consent and regulatory violations.

Debunking the misinformation around HPV vaccine, Dr Bhawna Rai, professor, department of radiotherapy and oncology, PGIMER emphasised on getting girls HPV vaccine as India ranks fourth in cervical cancer related morbidity and it can be reduced by this vaccine. “Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India.” Dr Rai explained, “human papillomavirus is transmitted through sexual contact and there is no usage of vaccine once the person has been exposed to these viruses. So, it is ideal to give vaccine before one becomes sexually active. Vaccine builds the immunity, by creating antibodies which prevent human papillomaviruses from making carcinogenic changes. Gardasil vaccine included in immunisation program protect against four strains of human papillomaviruses, these are HPV 16, 18 that are responsible for 80% of cervical cancers and strains 6 and 11.”

Dr Rashmi Bagga, professor, department of obstetrics and gynaecology, PGIMER added all females including those having HPV vaccinated, should do Pap smear every three years till the age of 65. Pap smear is a routine five minute screening for cervical cancer that detects precancerous, abnormal cells or HPV in cervix. The test cost ₹100 in PGI.

India accounts for 25% of global cervical cancer deaths. In the world, one in every five women who suffers from cervical cancer is from India and the nation ranks fourth in cervical cancer-related morbidity.

Dr Shweta Tehlan, senior consultant of gynaec, oncology and robotic surgery in Fortis hospital explained, “Gardasil has been in use for more than 15 years and multiple trials on its efficacy has been done. The vaccine helps in building antibodies against these viruses. The vaccine is recommended between 9 to 14 years of age as antibodies response is high in teenage. The vaccine is being given in countries like United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, etc. World Health Organisation has recommended the single dosage of Gardasil. The vaccine can be given upto age 45 but its effectiveness reduces with age. For younger girls, one dosage of HPV vaccine is enough.”

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/no-more-chhota-bhai-amit-shah-says-bjp-to-go-solo-in-2027-punjab-polls-101773483453580.html

The drizzle was accompanied by gusty winds, lightning and a mild chill in the air, offering residents some relief.

Residents of Delhi-NCR woke up to light rain and thunderstorms on Sunday, bringing relief from high temperatures across the national capital and neighbouring areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Delhi, warning of moderate rain, gusty winds and lightning.

The temperature recorded at Safdarjung, the city’s base station, was 22 degrees Celsius as of 7:30 am. The drizzle was accompanied by gusty winds, lightning and a mild chill in the air, offering residents some relief.

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#WATCH | Delhi: Rain lashes several parts of the national capital.

(Visuals from Pandit Pant Marg) pic.twitter.com/xicQKSN43u

— ANI (@ANI) March 15, 2026

Orange alert in Delhi and Ghaziabad, yellow in Noida

While an orange alert has been declared in the national capital as well as Ghaziabad, a yellow alert has been issued for the neighbouring Noida region.

This indicates light to moderate rain and a maximum surface wind speed of less than 40 kmph, according to the IMD.

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VIDEO | Delhi woke up to light drizzle across various parts of the city; visuals from Firozeshah Road.

(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/WVFIOw7KPa

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 15, 2026

‘Season’s first pre-monsoon rain’

Mahesh Palawat, vice president of meteorology and climate change at Skymet Weather, told news agency PTI on Saturday that some areas of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi may receive rain during the next two days.

“Due to a western disturbance approaching the western Himalayas, cyclonic activity has developed over central Pakistan adjoining Punjab and Haryana. As a result, parts of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi are likely to witness rainfall over the next two days. This is expected to be the season’s first pre-monsoon rain, which has arrived about 10 days earlier than usual,” he said.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/nutrition-scientist-reacts-to-emma-stones-bafta-look-shares-concern-over-clinical-signs-of-malnutrition-101773493628660.html

 

Pawan Khera’s post also referred to India’s vote in the United Nations, supporting a resolution seeking an “immediate cessation of all attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran.” He questioned India’s continued silence to condemn the US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

The Congress on Friday hit out at External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar over his call with his Iranian counterpart on Thursday evening, claiming that he was “dragging his feet” in informing the public about his conversation and was compelled to mention it today only because the Iranian Foreign Ministry released a statement on the call on Friday.

In a post on ‘X’, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera highlighted the stark contrast in the statements from both sides. While the Iranian foreign ministry’s statement, his post said, emphasised the need for bilateral and multilateral organisations and forums like BRICS “to condemn the military aggression against Iran,” Jaishankar’s tweet about the call on Friday just mentioned that both ministers “discussed bilateral matters as also BRICS related issues”.

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Notice how the EAM was practically dragging his feet in informing the public about his conversation with Iran’s Foreign Minister that happened last night.

He was finally compelled to mention it today only because the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s statement about their conversation… https://t.co/eU68ZNiLPd pic.twitter.com/AD7CT6Mrw3

— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 (@Pawankhera) March 13, 2026

Notably, India is currently chairing the Brics and is scheduled to host the summit later this year.

Khera’s post also referred to India’s vote in the United Nations, supporting a resolution seeking an “immediate cessation of all attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

The UN resolution, which had a total of 135 co-sponsors, reiterated its strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. It also condemned the “egregious attacks by Iran” in the “strongest terms.”

Moreover, he questioned India’s continued silence to condemn the US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

“Interestingly, India has shown little urgency in demanding the cessation of all attacks by the United States of America and Israel, even though it is Iran where close to 170 schoolgirls have been killed in a single air strike,” he wrote in his post, calling it a “sad ebb in India’s foreign policy”.

A girls’ school in Minab, in southern Iran, was hit on February 28 during the first day of US and Israeli attacks on the country. The US military is investigating the incident.

CONGRESS’S STANCE ON IRAN WAR

The Congress has questioned the Modi government’s silence on the US-Israeli strikes on Iran as well as the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an airstrike on February 28.

While several world leaders expressed condolences on the death of the 86-year-old Shiite leader, India remained silent for five days. It was only on March 5 that India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Mishri, visited the Iranian Embassy in Delhi and condoled the passing away of Khamenei. This was the first official response from the government on his death.

Nevertheless, neither the Prime Minister nor the External Affairs Minister have officially condoled the death so far. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Thursday hit out at the government for failing to condole Khamenei’s death.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/iran-war-congress-s-jaishankar-on-dragging-his-feet-over-call-with-fm-2881572-2026-03-13

 

An undercover investigation has exposed a widespread LPG black market in Delhi, where cylinders are hoarded, sold without booking slips and even partially emptied before delivery, raising serious concerns over supply diversion, consumer exploitation and safety risks.

An undercover investigation has exposed a thriving illegal LPG cylinder trade operating across several parts of Delhi, where gas cylinders are being hoarded, sold without booking slips and even tampered with before reaching consumers.

The probe found that black-market dealers were storing dozens of cylinders in residential houses, selling them at inflated prices and siphoning off small quantities of gas from each cylinder before delivery. The revelations come amid rising consumer anxiety over cooking gas availability following the Gulf crisis and changes in delivery timelines.

RISING CONCERNS OVER LPG AVAILABILITY

The investigation comes at a time when concerns over LPG supply have been mounting among households and commercial establishments.

On March 11, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas announced that the minimum delivery period for domestic LPG cylinders would increase from 21 days to 25 days. The government also maintained the existing annual cap of 15 cylinders per household.

Officials described the decision as a temporary step to manage demand during supply concerns. The government has maintained that there is no actual shortage of LPG or fuel oil.

However, reports of long queues outside gas agencies and restaurants shutting down due to the lack of commercial cylinders have begun emerging from several metropolitan cities.

Against this backdrop, the investigation uncovered what appears to be an organised black-marketing network operating across Delhi-NCR.

DOZENS OF CYLINDERS HIDDEN INSIDE NARELA HOUSE

The first location investigated was Swatantra Nagar in Narela in north Delhi.

House L-762, located behind a private school, appeared like a normal residential building from the outside. A small grocery shop was operating at the entrance, with routine activity in the neighbourhood.

Inside the house, however, reporters discovered around 50 LPG cylinders stacked together, suggesting the premises was being used as a storage point for illegal cylinder trading.

The team initially encountered a man named Gopal, who denied that cylinders were available for sale. When asked whether a cylinder could be purchased, he suggested the reporters return in the evening if supply arrived.

But when reporters pointed out the cylinders visible inside the premises, his response changed. He said cylinders could not be issued without a valid booking slip.

After some hesitation, Gopal introduced the reporters to a man locally known as Inne, who allegedly runs the operation.

Inside a room stacked with cylinders, Inne was seen holding a bundle of delivery slips. He insisted that cylinders were given only against slips, but also hinted that slips could be reassigned to different customers.

He refused digital payments and insisted that transactions must be done in cash.

According to him, online payments could not be accepted because the sale involved using another customer’s booking slip.

During the conversation, it also emerged that the group was primarily dealing in Indane cylinders and refused to exchange them with Bharat Gas cylinders brought by the reporters.

CYLINDER HOARDING UNCOVERED IN JASOLA VIHAR

The investigation then moved to Jasola Vihar in south Delhi, where two authorised LPG agencies operate.

At the agency, staff refused to issue cylinders without a booking receipt.

However, only a few metres away, reporters found several cylinders stored in small shanties in a nearby lane.

When questioned, a delivery worker named Praveen initially claimed the cylinders were empty and meant for customer deliveries.

After further questioning, he admitted the cylinders belonged to his employer and advised reporters to contact his boss, Sunny.

The reporters called Sunny and explained that they had an empty cylinder but no booking slip.

Sunny asked which company the cylinder belonged to and whether any booking receipt was available. Despite being told there was no receipt, he agreed to arrange a cylinder if the price was right.

The reporters eventually purchased a domestic LPG cylinder for Rs 1,500, even though the official price was Rs 913.

Praveen also admitted that he siphoned off small quantities of gas from cylinders before delivery.

He said roughly half a kilogram to three-quarters of a kilogram of gas was usually removed from each cylinder.

This means customers buying such cylinders are paying higher prices while receiving partially filled cylinders.

SANGAM VIHAR EMERGES AS ANOTHER HOTSPOT

A similar pattern was observed in Sangam Vihar in south Delhi.

At a local gas agency, staff again refused to provide cylinders without valid booking slips and told customers to collect cylinders only from their registered agency.

However, just a short distance away, cylinders were being openly sold in small shops.

One dealer, Harish, initially denied having extra cylinders but later offered a 19 kilogram commercial cylinder for Rs 4,200.

He then asked reporters to confirm the deal with his mother, who repeated the same price and claimed the cylinder was fully filled.

She told reporters that they had purchased two cylinders earlier and had already sold one.

ANOTHER DEALER SELLS CYLINDER FOR RS 2,000

The investigation also led reporters to another dealer named Prince.

When contacted by phone, Prince arrived at his shop with an associate. The shutters were kept mostly closed, reportedly to avoid attracting police attention.

When the shutter was slightly lifted, several cylinders could be seen inside.

Prince’s associate initially claimed there was no stock and that the visible cylinders were empty.

Later, he said two cylinders could be arranged by evening.

The reporters eventually purchased one cylinder for Rs 2,000 and paid through UPI.

ILLEGAL REFILLING RACKET UNCOVERED

The investigation also exposed a widespread practice of illegally refilling smaller LPG cylinders.

These cylinders, typically holding 4 to 6 kilograms of gas, are commonly used by roadside tea stalls, small eateries and low-income households without formal LPG connections.

Local shopkeepers openly offered to refill such cylinders at Rs 150 per kilogram.

Customers were told they could refill as little as one or two kilograms depending on their requirement.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/investigation-uncovers-organised-black-market-lpg-trade-amid-supply-concerns-in-delhi-cylinders-hoarded-sold-illegally-gas-siphoned-2881703-2026-03-13

The case, registered on December 6, 2025, by Union Bank of India, alleges criminal conspiracy and cheating. Jai Anmol was questioned about loans worth Rs 5,572 crore taken by the company from multiple banks, including Union Bank, which were later declared non-performing assets.

Jai Anmol Anil Ambani, son of industrialist Anil Ambani, was questioned for nearly six and a half hours by the Central Bureau of Investigation in Delhi on Friday in connection with a Rs 228 crore bank fraud case linked to Reliance Home Finance Ltd.

According to officials, Jai Anmol Ambani appeared before the investigating officer at the CBI headquarters in New Delhi after being summoned as part of the ongoing probe. He was examined for around 6.5 hours during the questioning.

Sources said the agency has asked him to appear again before the investigating officer on Saturday for further questioning.

CASE REGISTERED ON UNION BANK COMPLAINT

The CBI registered the case on December 6, 2025, against Reliance Home Finance Ltd., Jai Anmol Ambani, former CEO and whole-time director Ravindra Sudhalkar, along with unknown persons and unidentified public servants.

The case was filed following a complaint by Union Bank of India, which alleged criminal conspiracy, cheating and criminal misconduct that resulted in a wrongful loss of Rs 228.06 crore to the bank, which was then Andhra Bank.

LOAN ACCOUNT LATER CLASSIFIED AS FRAUD

Investigators said the loan account of Reliance Home Finance Ltd. was declared a non-performing asset on September 30, 2019.

The account was later classified as fraud on October 10, 2024, by Union Bank of India.

India has granted temporary immigration relief to foreigners unable to leave due to the West Asia conflict, offering one-month visa extensions, waiving overstay fines and issuing free exit or landing permits.

India will grant one-month visa extensions and waive overstay penalties for foreign nationals stranded in the country because of travel disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

In a post on X, the Consulate General of India in Dubai announced that the relief measures were being introduced to help travellers unable to leave India as flights and routes across parts of the Gulf region remain affected.

“Extension of Regular Indian Visa/E-Visa and waiver of over stay penalty to foreigners stuck in India due to the ongoing developments in West Asia,” the consulate said while outlining the temporary immigration relief.

According to the announcement, all types of Indian visas and e-visas that are expiring or due to expire soon will be extended for one month on a gratis basis. The extension will be granted by jurisdictional Foreigners Regional Registration Offices (FRROs) on a case-to-case basis for affected nationals.

Authorities also said penalties for overstaying after February 28, 2026 due to the ongoing developments in West Asia will be waived.

“Taking into account the conflict situation in the Gulf region, the following has been decided,” the consulate said in the statement.

Under the new measures, exit permits will be issued free of charge to foreign nationals affected by the travel disruption so they can leave India once routes reopen.

Officials also clarified that not applying for visa extensions or exit permits during this period will not be treated as a violation of migration laws, acknowledging the extraordinary circumstances created by the regional conflict.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indians-in-dubai-get-30-day-visa-extension-overstay-penalty-waived-amid-middle-east-tension-2881715-2026-03-13

A 25-year-old man in Ujjain was arrested after CCTV footage showed him stealing a married neighbour’s undergarments. Police said he confessed to the act, claiming he was obsessed with her.

Police in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain have arrested a 25-year-old man after CCTV footage caught him repeatedly stealing a married woman’s undergarments from outside her home, in a bizarre case that has left residents of the area shocked.

The incident took place in the Chimanganj police station area, where a family had complained that women’s undergarments kept out to dry outside their house were going missing.

According to police, the complaint came from a family living in the Dhancha Bhavan area. They told authorities that clothes washed and hung on a rope outside their house were being stolen repeatedly at night. Suspecting foul play, the family checked their CCTV footage and later handed it over to the police.

The footage showed a young man approaching the house late at night. After looking around to make sure no one was watching, he removed the woman’s undergarments from the clothesline and quickly fled the spot.

Based on the CCTV evidence, police identified and arrested Ankit Malviya, 25, who lives in the same locality and is a neighbour of the complainant.

During questioning, the accused allegedly confessed that he was obsessed with the married woman and had developed a one-sided love for her. Police said he admitted stealing the undergarments out of that obsession.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ujjain-man-arrested-for-stealing-married-neighbors-undergarments-over-one-sided-love-2881738-2026-03-14

As missiles and drones are seen flying over the region, the captain says they are awaiting a possible escort from the Indian Navy, while anxious family members in Mumbai appeal for the government’s help to bring them home safely.

The ongoing tensions amid the US-Israel-Iran conflict are now directly affecting Indian homes, with a tanker captain and his crew stranded near the Strait of Hormuz. Captain Virendra Vishwakarma, a resident of Dahisar East in Mumbai, has been stuck near the strategic waterway since March 2 along with 33 crew members aboard an LPG tanker.

Speaking from the vessel, Vishwakarma said the crew is witnessing missile and drone activity in the skies almost daily and hopes the Indian Navy will escort the tanker safely back to India. “We see missiles and drones flying overhead almost every day and hear sirens constantly. We are worried that anything could happen at any time,” he said.

TANKER CARRYING LPG FOR INDIA

The tanker, carrying enough liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to fill about 3.6 million domestic cylinders, is currently stranded at Mina Saqr Port, a deep-water seaport in Ras Al Khaimah, part of the United Arab Emirates.

The ship had been loaded at Mina Al Ahmadi Port and was headed to Deendayal Port, previously known as Kandla Port, in Gujarat’s Kutch district.

Vishwakarma said the crew currently has food supplies sufficient for around 60 days, and the ship’s operator, GESCO, is coordinating with authorities.

“Our company is helping us and has assured us it is in touch with the navy and the relevant ministries to arrange for our safe return,” he said.

FAMILIES ANXIOUS BACK HOME

Back in Mumbai, the captain’s family says the uncertainty has taken a heavy emotional toll. His wife Nilpa Vishwakarma said she has barely slept in days, worrying about her husband and the crew amid the escalating conflict in the region. “I pray every day that my husband and his crew return home safely. I haven’t been able to sleep for several days,” she said.

She added that the family remains in touch through WhatsApp audio and video calls, but the ship’s internet connection is unreliable. “My two children and I speak to him whenever the internet works. Sometimes the connection drops, and then we just keep waiting to hear from him again,” she said.

With the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remaining tense, the crew continues to wait for a safe passage under naval protection to bring the tanker and its cargo back to Indian waters.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indian-captain-33-crew-stranded-strait-of-hormuz-sailors-families-appeal-government-help-lpg-tanker-iran-war-2881749-2026-03-14

In a drone strike in Sohar, Oman, two Indian nationals were killed, marking the first Indian fatalities on land since the Iran-US conflict began on February 28

Two Indian nationals were killed and 10 others injured in a drone strike in Oman’s Sohar city on Friday that marked the first Indian fatalities on land since the Iran-US conflict erupted on February 28. Joint secretary (Gulf) in the Ministry of External Affairs Aseem Mahajan confirmed the killing of the two Indians in Oman at an inter-ministerial media briefing on the crisis in West Asia. He also said that 150,000 Indian nationals have returned to India from West Asia after the conflict began.

“I wish to share with you an incident that happened in Sohar city today. There was an attack and in this incident two Indian nationals have died,” he said.

“We express our deepest condolences to their families. Of the 11 injured (in the attack), 10 are Indians. Out of them, five have been discharged after receiving treatment, and five others are receiving treatment in local hospitals,” Mahajan said.

“None of them is reported to have serious injuries. Our mission is in close touch with the concerned company and local authorities and is rendering all assistance,” he said.

IndiGo will introduce fuel surcharges on domestic and international routes from March 14, following a similar move by Air India. Airlines cite a steep surge in Aviation Turbine Fuel prices, which form nearly 40% of operating costs. Several global carriers are also implementing surcharges, likely pushing airfares higher during the upcoming travel season.

IndiGo announced the introduction of fuel surcharge on domestic and international routes from March 14, following the Air India Group which announced the expansion of fuel surcharge on March 10. Several major Indian and international airlines are set to implement or increase fuel surcharges in the upcoming weeks, signaling a sharp rise in airfares for the spring and summer travel seasons.

ATF Prices Surge

The move comes as the aviation industry grapples with a sudden spike in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices, driven by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Gulf region. The International Air Transport Association’s Jet Fuel Price Monitor indicates that fuel prices in Asia have increased by 84.8% compared to the prior month and 89.9% from the past year’s average.

IndiGo Surcharge Slabs

The revelation happens when a man discusses with the auto driver about how expensive it is to live in Mumbai.

A video from Mumbai has caught widespread attention online, showing an auto-rickshaw driver talking about his earnings. The revelation happens when a man discusses with the auto driver about how expensive it is to live in Mumbai.

But what happens next takes him and the social media viewers by complete surprise.

Mumbai Auto Driver’s Earnings Leave Internet Surprised

In the video, the man can be heard discussing the cost of living in the city. He says, “So meri abhi bhaiya se baat hori thi, mai bol raha tha ki Mumbai sehar bada mehnga hai. Toh wo kehte hai ki mehnga par yaha par paisa itna hai, barasata hai – bas pakadne wale ki dikkat hai (I was just talking to this brother and saying that Mumbai is very expensive. He replied that yes it is costly, but money also ‘rains’ here — the only problem is finding someone who can catch it).”

During the conversation, the auto driver reveals that he earns around Rs 2500 on average per day. He further says, “Kharcha nikal ke (after expenses).”

The statement leaves the man visibly shocked. Reacting to the figure, he says, “Rs 2500 bhai! Mai nhi kamata tha B.Tech ke bad jab pehli naukri lagi thi (Brother, I wasn’t earning this much even after my B.Tech when I got my first job).”

He then does a calculation and adds, “Rs 75,000 nikal kar bhaiya kama rahe hai. Ghar baithe rehna hai ya Mumbai mein auto chalani hai? Mai toh kehra hu yahi ajao, auto chala lo badhiya hai… roz networking karoge. Tum ek cubical mein baithe ho…far better than that (Brother is earning around Rs 75,000. Do you want to sit at home or drive an auto in Mumbai? I’m saying just come here and drive an auto – it’s great. You’ll do networking every day. You’re sitting in a cubicle…this is far better than that).”

The overlay text on the video reads, “In India, Rs 30K job is considered respectable. An auto driver earning Rs 75K isn’t. Strange definition of success.”

Watch The Clip Here

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What Are People Saying Online

Since being shared online, the clip has racked up nearly one million views and triggered a wave of reactions from viewers.

One user jokingly asked, “Bhaiyaa ke pass team member ki vacancy hai kya?? (Does brother have a vacancy for a team member?)/”

Another added, “Maa… autowaali banna hai mujhe! (Mom… I want to become an auto driver!).”

“City mai auto wale sach mai kamate hai itna maybe is se jyada (Auto drivers in big cities really do earn this much, maybe even more),” someone else remarked.

“Ab hui na baat. Corporate job alag karunga aur auto alag chalaunga. Isko moonlighting consider karenge kya? (Now that’s interesting. I’ll keep my corporate job and drive a separate car. Will this be considered moonlighting)?” an individual stated.

“IITian ki starting salary se bhi zyada hai yeh toh (This is even more than the starting salary of some IIT graduates),” a viewer wrote.

Source : https://www.news18.com/viral/mumbai-auto-driver-claims-he-earns-rs-2500-daily-after-expenses-video-aa-9959778.html

 

Sources said an LPG vessel is also expected to pass through the Strait at 9.30am IST, and will similarly be guided by Indian naval assets once it clears the sensitive maritime zone

An Indian LPG carrier Shivalik, carrying over 40,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), has successfully moved into the open sea after transiting the Strait of Hormuz, sources have told CNN-News18. The vessel is currently being escorted by the Indian Navy and is expected to reach India in about two days, likely docking at Mumbai or Kandla port.

Sources said another LPG vessel is also expected to pass through the strait at around 9.30am IST, and will similarly be guided by Indian naval assets once it clears the sensitive maritime zone.

The movement of Shivalik comes after intense diplomatic engagement between India and Iran to ensure safe passage for Indian-flagged ships amid the ongoing regional crisis. Earlier reports had indicated that India was in talks with Iran to secure passage for up to eight LPG tankers stranded in the Gulf region due to the conflict.

According to sources, negotiations helped facilitate the first movement of vessels, with CNN-News18 earlier reporting that transit would begin soon after talks progressed.

Diplomatic Push for Tanker Movement

India has been actively engaging Tehran to allow its energy shipments to pass through the strategic waterway. The discussions come as several Indian LPG carriers were stuck in the Persian Gulf after shipping through the strait was disrupted due to the West Asia war.

Reports indicate that Iran has permitted select Indian-flagged LPG carriers to transit the strait, including Shivalik and another vessel, as a special exemption during the ongoing tensions.

Crisis in the Strait of Hormuz

The development comes against the backdrop of the ongoing Strait of Hormuz crisis, which began after escalating hostilities involving Iran, the United States, and Israel in late February. The tensions led to severe disruptions in shipping through the critical energy corridor.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, handling roughly 20 per cent of global oil and gas shipments, making any disruption a major concern for global energy markets and for import-dependent countries like India.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/indian-lpg-vessel-shivalik-reaches-open-sea-with-navy-escort-another-to-cross-hormuz-soon-exclusive-ws-kl-9959825.html

India’s crude oil supplies remain secure, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, told reporters at a briefing.

Amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, a senior Oil Ministry official on Wednesday said that there is no need for panic booking of LPG cylinders, and that the normal delivery cycle of two-and-a-half days is being maintained.

India’s crude oil supplies remain secure, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, told reporters at a briefing.

“We import almost 60 % of our LPG and most of it, almost 90 % comes from the Strait of Hormuz. It’s a difficult situation, but the government is making every effort to ensure that the supply to the domestic consumers is ensured…We deliver almost 50 lakh cylinders on a daily basis. On the distribution side, no dry out has been reported. But there is a manifold increase in bookings because of the panic. We urge the citizens to avoid panic booking…State governments have been requested to identify the list of beneficiaries so that the delivery of the cylinder, commercial cylinder, can be made on a priority basis…”

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#WATCH | Delhi | Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing & Oil Refinery), Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, says, “We import almost 60 % of our LPG and most of it, almost 90 % comes from the Strait of Hormuz. It’s a difficult situation, but the government is making every… pic.twitter.com/XnfORpuGsw

— ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2026

“India’s crude supply remains secure. Our daily consumption is about 55 lakh barrels…through diversified procurement, the volumes we have secured today exceed what would normally have arrived through the Strait of Hormuz during this period,” she said.

India imports crude from nearly 40 countries.

The oil marketing companies have secured various crude cargoes from different sources, and as a result of this diversification, about 70 per cent of India’s crude imports are now coming from routes outside the Strait of Hormuz, compared with about 55 per cent earlier, she added.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/about-70-of-crude-imports-from-non-hormuz-routes-oil-ministry-says-no-need-for-panic-supplies-remain-secure-3929400 

This was the first phone call between Modi and Pezeshkian after Israel and the United States launched attacks on Iran on February 28.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a phone call with President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran and underlined the need for unhindered transit of goods and energy through the Persian Gulf.

“Expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure,” Modi posted on X after speaking to Pezeshkian.

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Had a conversation with Iranian President, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, to discuss the serious situation in the region.

Expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure.

The safety and security of…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 12, 2026

This was the first phone call between Modi and Pezeshkian after Israel and the United States launched attacks on Iran on February 28, killing the Persian Gulf nation’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Modi. However, he had phone calls with the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, which had been at the receiving end of the counter-offensive by Iran. He had also spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had played host to him just days before starting the missile strikes on Iran.

“The safety and security of Indian nationals, along with the need for unhindered transit of goods and energy, remain India’s top priorities,” the prime minister told his counterpart in Tehran on Thursday, explaining New Delhi’s approach. “Reiterated India’s commitment to peace and stability and urged for dialogue and diplomacy,” he wrote on X.

At least three mariners from India were killed in attacks on merchant vessels in the Persian Gulf.

India refrained from condemning the missile strikes on Iran by Israel and the US, the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the sinking of the Iranian Navy ship IRIS Dena in a submarine attack by the US in the Indian Ocean.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi on March 5 and signed the condolence register for the slain Supreme Leader of the West Asian Islamic Republic. He, however, just expressed condolences on behalf of the people and the Government of India on the demise of the religious leader, without any reference to how he had been killed. The Indian Navy issued a press release on its participation in the Search and Rescue operations after a US submarine torpedoed the IRIS Dena, an Iranian Navy frigate, off Galle in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Sri Lanka on March 4. But the press release by the Indian Navy avoided any reference to the role of the US in the sinking of the ship.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/pm-modi-speaks-to-iranian-president-stresses-need-for-unhindered-transit-of-goods-energy-3929959 

 

A 25-year-old woman was found dead in a hotel room in Old Delhi, prompting police to open a murder investigation. The incident occurred on March 12, after hotel staff reported that the room was locked from the inside. Upon forced entry, authorities found the woman partially covered, with blood on the bed and clothes.

A woman was found dead inside a hotel room in Old Delhi’s Lahori Gate on Thursday (March 12) under suspicious circumstances. The police have registered a murder case and launched a search for the man who had checked in with her, an official told PTI news agency.

The woman, who was around 25 years of age, lived with her parents, grandmother, and younger sister in northeast Delhi’s Maujpur area and worked at a private company in Chandni Chowk.

PM Modi on Thursday spoke to Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and expressed deep concern over escalating tensions in West Asia. During the conversation with Pezeshkian, PM Modi also raised concern over the safety of Indian nationals in Iran.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday spoke to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian over the escalating conflict in West Asia. During the conversation, PM Modi expressed concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure. He also raised concerns over the safety and security of Indian nationals in Iran.

In an X post, the Prime Minister also stated that the safety and security of Indian nationals and the need for unhindered transit of goods and energy is India’s top priority. During the conversation, the PM reiterated India’s commitment to peace and stability and urged for dialogue and diplomacy.

“Had a conversation with Iranian President, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, to discuss the serious situation in the region. Expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure,” PM Modi said on X.

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Had a conversation with Iranian President, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, to discuss the serious situation in the region.

Expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure.

The safety and security of…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 12, 2026

“The safety and security of Indian nationals, along with the need for unhindered transit of goods and energy, remain India’s top priorities. Reiterated India’s commitment to peace and stability and urged for dialogue and diplomacy,” he added.

 

The Government of Uttar Pradesh on Thursday said petrol, diesel and LPG stocks are adequate across the state and warned of strict action against rumour-mongers and black marketers. CM Yogi Adityanath ordered inspections of petrol pumps and gas agencies after reports of LPG shortages, protests and delayed cylinder deliveries surfaced in several cities.

The Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday asserted that there is adequate stock of petrol, diesel and domestic LPG cylinders across the state and warned of strict action against those spreading rumours or indulging in black marketing. The statement came amid reports of LPG shortages and protests in several cities.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to maintain strict vigilance over the supply chain of petroleum products and cooking gas. He asked the administration to take strong action against anyone attempting to create artificial scarcity through hoarding, black marketing or by spreading misleading information.

Officials said adequate supplies of petrol and diesel are available in every district and domestic gas cylinders are also stocked sufficiently. The administration has begun inspections of petrol pumps and LPG agencies to ensure smooth distribution and prevent irregularities.

However, reports from several parts of the state suggest that the shortage of LPG cylinders has begun to affect daily life. In many cities, consumers said they are not receiving cylinders even four to five days after booking. Long queues have been reported outside gas agencies.

Cases of alleged black marketing have also surfaced. In Gorakhpur, authorities sealed two gas agencies over allegations of black marketing of LPG cylinders and arrested the owner.

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UP: A large crowd gathered at a Bharat Gas warehouse in Zeera Basti, Ballia, with people queuing from early morning to collect LPG cylinders after home delivery reportedly stopped. pic.twitter.com/Cm7QdEXL6e

— IANS (@ians_india) March 12, 2026

In Lucknow, workers of the Samajwadi Party staged a protest over the alleged shortage of LPG cylinders. During the demonstration, protesters raised slogans targeting the central government. When police tried to disperse them, several protesters lay down on the road. Police later dragged them into vehicles and took them to Eco Garden. Some workers were also seen climbing on police vehicles during the protest.

The shortage has also affected institutions. At King George’s Medical University in Lucknow, authorities said the supply disruption has impacted food preparation for patients. The hospital, which serves food to around 2,500 patients, has started reducing breakfast items and rotis and is currently managing with smaller five kilogram commercial cylinders.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/up-govt-claims-adequate-fuel-stock-as-lpg-shortage-triggers-queues-protests

 

The former J&K chief minister escaped unhurt after a 63-year-old local man, Kamal Singh Jamwal, fired at him from close range with a licensed pistol on Wednesday night

National Conference president and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah has linked an attack on his life to the “deep-rooted hate in the country”. Abdullah spoke a day after a failed assassination attempt on him during a wedding function in the Greater Kailash area of Jammu.

Speaking to the media, Abdullah expressed gratitude for his survival and described what unfolded while he had a close shave.

“The biggest tragedy is the hate in the country has become deep-rooted. No religion teaches hate; all religions teach love and respect, and I feel we have left that religion,” Farooq Abdullah said.

“God saved me,” he said, adding that he initially mistook the gunshot for a firecracker. He described hearing the sound as he exited the venue and being quickly rushed to safety by his team.

On the security arrangements, he said that the police deployment was poor, and an investigation should be conducted into the matter.

“Such incidents are happening because we are living in an era of hatred,” he said.

Regarding the assailant, Abdullah said he bore no personal animosity with anyone. “I have never developed hate for anyone in my heart; I don’t know what was his grudge against me,” the veteran leader said.

He further said that “no matter how much security you increase, the killer always has an advantage. The problem is that we live in an era where terrorism is up in the sky, and we cannot control it.”

The NC chief reiterated his call for the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and urged authorities to examine whether the claimed normalcy in the region truly exists.

Source : https://www.news18.com/politics/god-saved-me-farooq-abdullah-blames-deep-rooted-hate-in-country-for-assassination-attempt-9956963.html

Delhi’s LPG shortage forces restaurants to cut menus, ration gas, and adopt alternative cooking methods, risking closures amid rising black market prices.

The ongoing LPG shortage in the capital is forcing restaurants — from heritage sweet shops in Old Delhi to iconic cafés and neighbourhood eateries — to rethink how they cook, what they serve and, in some cases, whether they can stay open at all.

Several well-known establishments have begun trimming menus, rationing gas cylinders or experimenting with alternative cooking methods as supplies tighten and black market prices surge.

At Carnatic Cafe on Lodhi Road, management has started pruning the menu. Restaurant officials said they have discontinued dishes under the “Rice of the Day” section and temporarily removed the popular Patravali Thali.

“The supplier is not providing us with any solution and we are about to run out of supply. Dishes under the “Rice of the Day” section and the thali take a lot of gas to prepare. We are serving other items for now,” an official said.

In Old Delhi, at the 140-year-old Old Famous Jalebi Wala in Dariba Kalan, owner Kailash said LPG cylinders in the black market are now selling for around ₹3,000 per cylinder.

“Customers prefer hot jalebis, but we are requesting them to understand our situation. Earlier we used to fry in small batches, but now we fry two to three kilograms at one go,” he said.

At the famed Sita Ram Diwan Chand Chhole Bhature, owner Rajeev Kohli said the restaurant has begun using induction cooktops and are reducing the quantity of chhole prepared daily to conserve gas.

At the decades-old Dhaba Food in Connaught Place’s Shankar Market, a notice outside the shop on Thursday informed customers that only rajma chawal and kadhi chawal would be served.

“If we don’t get a cylinder, we will have to shut shop. We have never closed, except during the pandemic,” a staff member said.

A similar situation is unfolding at Lodhi Knights, a well-known shawarma joint in the Lodhi area. Owner Nehul Ahuja said the restaurant may shift to alternative cooking methods if the shortage persists.

“We are trying to adapt. For now, we have had to stop serving our Mughlai dishes, curries and even shawarmas — basically anything that requires long cooking time,” he said.

At Bengali Sweet Centre in South Extension-I, staff said the menu now changes depending on how much gas remains. “There’s only one cylinder now and soon that will also get over,” a staffer said, adding that items such as matar kulche and some deep-fried snacks have been stopped.

Restaurant chains are not faring any better. Sumit Gulati, owner of the Call Chotu chain, said shortages have affected both branch kitchens and the central kitchen in Saket.

“Our cylinder supply will be over within a day or two. We are now trying to transition to electric cooking. But many dishes such as butter chicken, noodles and manchurian require high-flame cooking. We will have to see what can be made on electric cooktops,” Gulati said.

Others are turning to traditional fuels. Vinod Chadha, owner of Moti Mahal in Daryaganj, said they have started using charcoal for dishes that require long simmering.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/butter-chicken-to-chhole-city-s-favourites-feel-heat-101773341573715.html

 

The deceased were identified as Thengin Baite of Thawai Kuki village in Kamjong district and Thangboimang Khongsai of Shangkai in Ukhrul district.

Two people who were reportedly abducted on Wednesday were found dead on Thursday, after 21 civilians who were allegedly captured in retaliation along the Ukhrul-Imphal route were safely released, chief minister Yumnam Khemchand informed the ongoing Manipur budget session.

He said the case will be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The deceased were identified as Thengin Baite of Thawai Kuki village in Kamjong district and Thangboimang Khongsai of Shangkai in Ukhrul district. The CM made the statement on Thursday during the seventh session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly in Imphal.

Raising the issue through a calling attention motion, Congress MLA K Meghachandra sought clarification from Manipur home minister K Govindas regarding the government’s initiatives to prevent further escalation following reports of a heavy exchange of gunfire at Thawai village and the abduction of civilians along the Imphal-Ukhrul road. Responding to the motion, Govindas informed the House that a gunfight reportedly took place between two armed groups from around 6.30 am to 9 am on Wednesday in the Mapithel hill range of Ukhrul district. The gunfight occurred after two Kuki villagers were allegedly abducted by unidentified armed groups.

During the exchange of fire, one civilian, Lalminthang Haokip, 40, sustained a minor bullet injury and was evacuated to a health centre in Kangpokpi district for treatment, the minister said. He further informed the House that in retaliation, 21 civilians belonging to the Tangkhul Naga community who were travelling along the Ukhrul-Imphal road were abducted by some members of the Kuki community at Shangkai village in Ukhrul district.

Govindas said CM Khemchand held a meeting with governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan in Imphal on Wednesday evening to discuss the situation.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/fashion/decoding-nita-ambani-s-herm-s-summer-2026-inspired-vacation-style-101773312881731.html

Bengaluru faces an LPG supply shortage, impacting auto drivers and eateries, with rising costs and disrupted services, prompting government action.

A tightening supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is beginning to ripple across daily life in Bengaluru, affecting auto drivers, eateries and government-run food canteens while authorities have stepped up monitoring of fuel stocks.

Auto-rickshaw drivers using LPG said a sudden price increase hit them, with auto LPG rates rising by about ₹10 per litre within two days. The hike has added to the financial strain on drivers already dealing with higher fuel costs.

Fuel station workers said they faced supply disruptions that limited how much LPG they could sell. One bunk employee said the situation had become uncertain in recent days. “We don’t know when the next load will arrive,” the staff member at fuel station in Banasawadi said.

The Govardhan LPG bunk in Yeshwanthpur shut operations due to a shortage of supplies. Staff said they had been receiving daily loads until Wednesday but none had arrived afterwards. “We are not sure when the next load will come,” a worker said, adding that the station, which previously operated around the clock, is now unable to function normally.

Another LPG bunk worker said deliveries have dropped sharply in recent days. “Earlier, we would receive as much as we requested. Now we are getting only half a ton,” he said. “We cannot continue selling with such limited supply for long. Auto drivers are already getting angry with us because of the shortage.”

CNG drivers face higher fuel costs

All victims reportedly bought milk from the same vendor, affecting residents in the Chowdeswaranagar and Swaroopnagar areas of Lalacheruvu. Alarms spread through the neighborhoods as acute renal failure claimed lives starting February 22.

The death toll from a suspected milk adulteration incident in Andhra Pradesh’s Rajamahendravaram has risen to 13, with seven others including three children still under treatment at local hospitals. Bandaru Veeralaxmi, 60, a Swaroopnagar resident who fell ill after consuming the milk on February 16, became the latest victim on Thursday.

All victims reportedly bought milk from the same vendor, affecting residents in the Chowdeswaranagar and Swaroopnagar areas of Lalacheruvu. Alarms spread through the neighborhoods as acute renal failure claimed lives starting February 22.

Medical tests revealed elevated blood urea and serum creatinine levels among the affected, pointing to toxic exposure. Preliminary investigation pinpoint milk as the primary source. The tainted supply came from Varalakshmi Milk Dairy in Narasapuram village, Korukonda mandal, reaching nearly 106 families before authorities halted distribution.

Milk, paneer, and curd samples have been sent to JNTU Kakinada and VIMTA Labs in Hyderabad for microbial, physio-chemical, and toxic adulterant analysis. Blood and urine samples from victims are undergoing detailed toxicological exams.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/andhra-pradesh/andhra-milk-contamination-death-toll-rises-to-13-seven-undergoing-treatment-3928775

Astrologer Prashanth Kini had in 2023 asked Sheikh Hasina to remain careful in the months of May, June, July and August 2024, claiming that she may face assassination attempts.

Amid reports of commercial LPG shortages that have affected restaurants, hotels and transport services in several Indian cities, an old social media post by an astrologer has suddenly resurfaced online. The tweet, shared months ago, has caught widespread attention online.

The shortage comes at a time when global energy supplies are disrupted due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Astrologer’s Old Prediction About Energy Shortage Resurfaces

The post was originally shared in September 2025 by astrologer Prashanth Kini on X (formerly Twitter). In the tweet, he had predicted that India could face fuel and natural gas supply disruptions after March 2026.

In the post, the astrologer wrote: “India will face fuel and natural gas shortage after March 2026… Supply chain disrupt.”

As the LPG shortage began making headlines, Kini reshared the same tweet on March 11 and wrote: “This prediction I made almost 5 months back ….!!”

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This prediction i made almost
5 months back ….!! https://t.co/oxJxbjuaLl

— Prashanth Kini (@AstroPrashanth9) March 11, 2026

What Are People Saying Online

 

A woman claims in a clip that a US company pays large sums for stool donations used in medical research and treatments.

Conversations around unusual ways to earn money often grab people’s attention online. One such clip has sparked curiosity after a woman spoke about a surprising claim related to human health and medical research. In the short video, she talks about how some companies are willing to pay people for something most would never imagine selling.

The claim in the clip has left many viewers shocked and amused at the same time. While some people reacted with jokes, others were curious about the science behind the idea and how it is connected to modern medical treatments.

Woman Claims Donors Can Earn Money For Stool

The clip opens with a woman making a bold statement that quickly catches attention. She says, “What if I told you that you can get 1.5 crores for your poop? You heard me right.”

She then continues by explaining that a company in the United States is willing to pay people for stool donations. According to her, the payment could go up to Rs 41,000 for each donation and around Rs 1.5 crore in a year if someone donates regularly.

“This US company is willing to pay you 41,000 per poop and 1.5 crores a year for annual donations, and it doesn’t stop here,” she says in the clip.

Soon after, a line from the US company’s website appears on the screen that reads, “Make Money, Save Lives. Become a stool donor, for FMT (Fecal Microbiota Transplants) or research.” The message suggests that the company is legitimate and promotes stool donation for medical use.

The woman also claims that people who are very fit and active may earn even more. “For people who are very athletic and in great shape, they’re willing to pay up to $1 million per poop. This is because they believe that your poop can change someone’s life, and they aren’t crazy,” she adds.

She Explains The Science Behind The Claim

Later in the video, the speaker talks about the science connected to stool donation.

“Here’s the science. See, half your stool is gut bacteria, which play a very important role in your overall health, from digestion to metabolism to mental well-being, and such companies extract this good bacteria from healthy fit individuals, turn it into a capsule, and give it to people suffering from obesity, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bipolar disorder.”

Stories from the ground reveal desperation and panic over the LPG refill shortage in India amid the Iran war. Scores of outlets have either increased food prices or shut down, resulting in work losses. People say the crisis is bringing scary memories of the Covid lockdown.

On Tuesday evening, when Promod Kumar stood in Noida’s Sector 16 frying samosas, there was a sense of uncertainty hanging over him. He wasn’t sure if he would be able to open his small food stall the next day. The LPG cylinder he usually bought from the black market had already shot up from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500. Forced by the spike, he had increased the prices of his samosas by 50%. When Promod tried to place the next day’s cylinder order with his supplier, the response was uncertain. “I’ve spoken to someone who might bring one from Ghaziabad. If it doesn’t come, then we won’t open the shop,” he said. “Nearby, around Sector 18’s Atta Market, several dhabas and food joints have already begun shutting down,” he added.

The next morning, contrary to his fears, Promod was back at his stall. He was dishing out breakfast, but again at higher prices. “Got a cylinder for Rs 2,300,” he said. Promod isn’t alone. His neighbour, Shivpal Kumar, had increased the price of a cup of tea from Rs 10 to Rs 15. Shivpal claimed another vendor has hiked it to Rs 20.

Countless food businesses, big and small, are either on the brink of shutting down or have already closed because LPG cylinders are simply not available.

The shutting of eateries or slashing of menu has hit lakhs of gig workers who are losing out on work, according to a labour union. It said the LPG crisis had reduced delivery work by 50-60% in several cities.

The government has tried to reassure people that there were no supply constraints, but the situation on the ground and the panic in mind reveal an entirely different reality. At a dhaba in Noida Sector 22, a man waiting for his dinner roti on Wednesday night told India Today Digital, “It feels like the Covid lockdown. At least back then we were getting food. Corona, lockdown, demonetisation, it seems we are the ones who keep seeing all of this”.

The heat of the war between Iran, and the US and Israel, is being felt on India’s LPG supply chain. While households are still managing to get cylinders in five to seven days (thanks to the Centre’s “priority” for household consumers), the squeeze on commercial supply is far more severe. Hotel and restaurant associations across several states say they are running out of cylinders. Many eateries have shut, hopefully temporarily, and others might soon be forced to follow suit. For household consumers too, the strain is easily visible. The long queues outside LPG godowns and agencies, and the price of a cylinder touching Rs 3,000 on the black market, verified by India Today Digital, attest to that.

On Thursday, fights broke out outside several gas agencies across the Delhi NCR region as the LPG cylinder crunch deepened. Verbal and physical clashes erupted between customers and agency staff as well as among people standing in queues.

On Wednesday, government officials warned that panic bookings and hoarding are mainly triggered by misinformation. They urged the public to remain calm and avoid spreading false news about LPG shortages. India’s domestic LPG production has increased by 25% following government orders to boost output, officials said at a joint briefing by the Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of External Affairs, and Ministry of Petroleum.

LPG CONSUMERS ACROSS INDIA FEELING THE SQUEEZE DESPITE GOVERNMENT ASSURANCES

In Delhi NCR, the situation is similar, and reports of shortages are also coming in from Bengaluru and Mumbai. People in Jharkhand, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are reporting the same stress. The problem became so dire for a woman from Basti in Uttar Pradesh that she said her “family has been cooking on firewood for a week because they could not get an LPG cylinder”.

Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday said that India was securing LPG from diverse sources and routes. He assured that there was no shortage of gas supply for domestic consumers.

On Monday, the Puri-led Petroleum Ministry invoked the Essential Commodities Act (ESMA) to divert hydrocarbon streams for LPG production, prevent hoarding and black-marketing, and prioritise supplies. The wait time for LPG refill booking was increased from 21 to 25 days and 30 days for double connections to curb panic buying. Days before the move, 14 days was taken to 21 days.

On March 7, the cost of the domestic 14.2-kg cylinders was increased by Rs 60. The price of commercial 19-kg cylinders was hiked by Rs 115.

Though the government increased the wait time and the price of LPG cylinders to curb bulk booking, the steps, instead, added to the panic among consumers. The panic among domestic consumers became visible since Monday in the form of long queues in front of gas agency offices and godowns.

INDIA SEEING AN LPG CYLINDER CRUNCH, REVEAL PROBLEMS IN BOOKING, DELIVERY DELAY, LONG QUEUES

India Today Digital on Monday reported that long queues of consumers clutching empty LPG cylinders were seen outside a Bharat Gas agency in Noida’s Sector 22. The report added that a person from a small town in Uttar Pradesh claimed she was forced to buy a domestic LPG cylinder on the black market for Rs 1,500 last week.

While restaurants with commercial connections are already bearing the brunt, as the government’s focus on ensuring supply to domestic consumers rather than commercial cylinders. But households too are facing delivery delays, now running into a week in some cases, along with problems with booking online. There are also reports of shortages and long queues outside gas agencies and godowns in several cities, including Noida and Lucknow.

The picture on the ground, as of Wednesday, suggests that disruptions continue and panic even among household consumers has increased. Outside the same gas agency in Noida Sector 22, the queue increased multifold. At least 50 people had lined up on Wednesday morning.

Confusion over bookings and patchy services added an extra layer to the panic.

A person employed at Rail Bhawan in central Delhi, who waited at an Indane gas agency in Noida Sector 56 on Tuesday for a refill request since 8 am, was visibly angry after spending hours in a queue. He said he had already spent the previous day trying to get hold of an LPG refill. When the agency opened at around 9.30 am, he was told that his number had already been registered. But he didn’t have any booking number, neither did the agency have one.

According to him, he had placed the booking request around Holi and nearly seven days had passed without him receiving a cylinder despite running around and missing work. “Ab main ye karoon ya office karoon? (Do I work or keep doing this?” he said in frustration. In the end, he called a delivery guy and was assured a cylinder for Rs 1,800 on the black market.

While the government employee missed a couple of days at work, others — lakhs of them have reportedly lost work due to the LPG shortage. They are gig workers. Approximately 1.2-1.5 crore Indians worked as freelance and platform workers in 2025-26.

In a letter to Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday, the Gig and Platform Service Workers Union warned that the LPG crisis has already “slashed delivery gigs by 50-60% in cities like Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Jaipur”. Calling it “a war-fuelled disaster destroying our livelihoods”, the union said thousands of platform workers who depend on daily orders are now facing loss of work and income collapse.

DHABAS, FOOD CARTS HYPE UP LPG PRICES ON BLACK MARKET

Many dhabas, food carts and even restaurants rely on household connection cylinders, the red 14.4 kg ones, procured routinely through the black market. The demand from them has further aggravated the situation.

On Thursday morning, outside a gas agency in Noida’s Sector 22, a crowd of at least 100 people had gathered, forming long queues for LPG cylinders. Amid the chaos, a scuffle broke out as people rained punches on each other while some people tried to cut in. Later, arguments broke out again over separate queues were formed for women. Though this time it remained verbal. The agency staffers said they stopped taking new refill orders. Many in the crowd complained that it had already been more than a week since they had booked a cylinder.

“Bhaisahab, you people go home and come back after three-four days nothing will be available now,” an agent was heard telling the crowd on Thursday morning.

A video on social media, reportedly from UP’s Gorakhpur, went viral on Wednesday, showing people beating up a gas agency staffer after he pulled down the shutter and refused to take new orders. A woman fainted amid the chaos.

Another woman fainted on the same day in eastern Bihar’s Katihar district.

The government continues to insist that there is no shortage of LPG cylinders for domestic use. However, a Noida-based Bharat Gas delivery agent, who did not wish to be identified, on Tuesday afternoon told India Today Digital that “while their godown in Noida earlier received five trucks with refills a day, it was now down to just one… Now, whatever cylinders are available, are also being sought by dhaba and restaurant owners. To keep their businesses running and continue employing cooks and other staff, many are paying higher prices on the black market.”

While Promod Kumar in Noida Sector 16 has increased the price of his snacks, his neighbour Samsher, who sells veg biryani in the area, said he was asked to pay Rs 3,000 for a cylinder on the black market. He echoed the same sense of anxiety expressed by Promod.

Around six kilometres away in Noida Sector 22, the proprietor of a popular dhaba told India Today Digital on Tuesday night that he had not yet increased the cost of food and was still gauging the situation. “I bought a cylinder today itself for Rs 2,300, but it is only a matter of time,” he said. “We have stopped making tawa paratha and rotis. Only the wood-fired tandoor is running.”

His main concern, he said, was how long such arrangements could be sustained. “I have placed a booking through my connection today, but people are saying it might take seven days. Another question is who to prioritise. If a cylinder comes, should I use it for the restaurant or at home?”

Around 500 kilometres to the east in Ayodhya, Ram Rasoi at Amawa Temple is looking at options like electric, coal and firewood, if LPG cylinder supplies are tightened further.

“Those who need one should book, and they are booking it. But even those who don’t need it right now are also booking,” an agent of Indane’s agency in Noida Sector 26 told India Today Digital.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/lpg-cylinder-shortage-gas-india-delhi-noida-up-black-market-restaurants-domestic-supply-2880420-2026-03-12

The senior fellow at the Asia Pacific Foundation said that, while on one hand, India maintains strong ties with Israel, it also has good ties with Iran, keeping in mind New Delhi’s interests in the Middle East. Hence, it won’t be easy for India to perfect a balancing act during the ongoing war.

India faces a difficult diplomatic balancing act amid escalating Middle East tensions involving Iran, Israel and the US, geopolitical expert and author Michael Kugelman told India Today TV. Kugelman said New Delhi must tread carefully to protect its strategic interests, maintain key partnerships and safeguard energy security while adhering to its long-standing doctrine of strategic autonomy.

Kugelman argued that India is in a tough spot because it maintains close ties with several actors, some of them rivals, directly affected by the conflict.

“Balancing would, of course, reflect India’s foreign policy when it comes to strategic autonomy,” Kugelman said, noting that maintaining such balance will be difficult in the current climate.

“India’s in a tough spot because we see how important India’s relationship with Israel has become over the last years”.

This comes a day after India Today reported that Iran’s measured approach toward India highlights Tehran’s strategic interest in keeping New Delhi engaged, even amid escalating regional rivalries.

India’s condolence over Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death exemplifies its longstanding diplomatic practice of respectful engagement during geopolitical tensions.

The situation was further complicated by US sanctions on the Chabahar Port, a key project India is developing as a strategic trade gateway.

Despite reduced investments under Washington’s “maximum pressure” campaign, Iran refrained from harsh criticism, with former official Abbas Araghchi noting the cuts were “disappointing” but expressing hope for continued work.

Tehran’s engagement reflects three priorities: securing energy supplies, protecting India’s diaspora interests, and respecting India’s non-alignment policy.

Over the past decade, India’s relationship with Israel has deepened considerably, particularly in defence cooperation. The partnership has become increasingly important as New Delhi looks to strengthen its military capabilities, including acquiring advanced air defence systems from Israel.

Kugelman further pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Israel shortly before the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, underlining the growing closeness between the two countries.

According to Kugelman, developments such as Operation Sindoor have further strengthened the importance of India-Israel defence cooperation, wherein Israeli air defence technology helped India thwart Pakistani drone and missile strikes.

However, Israel is only one part of India’s complex strategic calculus. Kugelman noted that India also maintains strong ties with Gulf countries within the Gulf Cooperation Council, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

These relationships are critical for energy supplies and for the welfare of millions of Indian nationals living and working across the region.

“We know that given how volatile and potentially explosive this conflict is, and given how much India could be impacted for so many reasons, mainly based on energy equities and, of course, the several million Indians in the GCC region, India has to be very careful about how it messages itself on this war,” Kugelman said.

While India’s ties with Iran have cooled in recent years—especially after New Delhi sharply reduced imports of Iranian crude oil—Kugelman said Tehran remains an important partner in India’s broader regional engagement.

Despite the reduced energy trade, “it’s still an important and friendly relationship,” he said, adding that this makes India’s diplomatic balancing act even more delicate.

The conflict is already having tangible implications for India.

INDIA-CHINA ECONOMIC COOPERATION

Reports claim that the country is grappling with a severe commercial liquefied petroleum gas crisis, prompting the government to invoke the Essential Commodities Act to prioritise domestic supply and increase production.

Although about 70 per cent of India’s fuel imports now bypass the Strait of Hormuz, roughly 90 per cent of LPG shipments still pass through the strategic waterway, leaving the country exposed to disruptions.

Against this backdrop, India has also taken steps to ease economic restrictions on Chinese investment.

The Union Cabinet recently relaxed foreign direct investment norms for companies from China in sectors such as electronics and solar manufacturing.

Kugelman described this move as an example of India’s “strategic pragmatism”.

He said the gradual easing of tensions between India and China predates the current conflict, pointing to earlier developments such as the 2024 border agreement and discussions about resuming direct flights between the two countries.

“I think that India’s being very pragmatic and this reflects a common trend in its foreign policy,” Kugelman said. While the Middle East conflict adds economic pressures—particularly related to energy security—he emphasised that India’s outreach to China is part of a broader strategic recalibration rather than a sudden shift.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/middle-east-war-geopolitical-expert-author-micheal-kugleman-delhi-balancing-act-india-tough-spot-2880663-2026-03-12

The gunman, who was caught on camera attempting to shoot former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah at a wedding in Jammu, revealed he had been plotting the attack on the 88-year-old National Conference chief for the past 20 years.

A man, who was caught on camera trying to shoot former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, at a wedding in Jammu on Wednesday, told the police that he had been planning to kill the 88-year-old National Conference (NC) chief for the past 20 years. Police ruled out a terror angle in the incident and said the shooter appeared to be drunk at the time of the incident.

Officials told India Today TV that the shooter, identified as 63-year-old Jammu resident Kamal Singh Jamwal, told the police that the firearm used by him was his licenced gun. “I wanted to kill Farooq Abdullah for the past 20 years. It was my personal agenda. The weapon is my own, issued to me,” he said, adding that he was “lucky to survive.”

CCTV footage from the wedding shows Jamwal approaching Abdullah from behind and pointing a gun at him from point-blank range before firing a shot. The shot missed the target and the gunman was immediately overpowered by the former Chief Minister’s security detail before he could cause any harm.

According to officials, Abdullah and Choudhary had come to greet a National Conference leader on the occasion of his son’s wedding. Officials said the two leaders had been at the venue for more than an hour before the firing occurred.

Later, the shooter on camera confessed to the police that he had been trying to kill Abdullah for the past 20 years.

Jamwal owns a few shops in the old part of Jammu. He told investigators that he survives on rent from his shops. “Today, I got the opportunity, but he (Farooq Abdullah) was lucky to survive,” he told the police after the failed attack on the NC chief.

J&K DEPUTY CM SURVIVED SHOOTING

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary was also present at the spot when the incident took place. He miraculously survived the shooting.

The pistol used in the incident was seized from the possession of the gunman, the police said in a statement cited by news agency PTI.

Jamwal was found in a drunken state, police said, adding that the gunman appeared to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. He was also beaten by people, including some NC workers, present at the venue after the attempt on Farooq Abdullah’s life.

EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT

Rakesh Singh, an eyewitness cited by PTI, said the incident occurred when Abdullah and other prominent guests were leaving the wedding venue.

“Abdullah had dinner with the guests. He was moving out of the venue when the gunman opened fire, but luckily, he was not hurt. The shooter claimed to be the chairman of some hitherto unknown ‘Jagran Manch’ and was drunk,” he said.

OMAR ABDULLAH REACTS

Portuguese travel vlogger Ines Faria shared a video alleging harassment during a train journey in India. She said men in a 3AC coach stared at her, changed seats and followed her toward the washroom. After reporting the issue, railway staff moved her to another compartment. RailwaySeva later asked for travel details to investigate.

A video shared by Portuguese travel vlogger Ines Faria has sparked widespread discussion about traveller safety on Indian public transport after she documented a disturbing encounter during a train journey.

The vlogger said she was travelling in a 3AC coach on an express train in India when a group of men allegedly began staring at her and repeatedly changing seats to watch her. According to her social media post shared on Tuesday, the behaviour made her increasingly uncomfortable during the journey.

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“We were on a 3AC train in India, which is usually very safe and the class we normally take. But during this ride, a group of boys sitting across from us kept staring, changing seats and watching us constantly. It started to feel really uncomfortable,” she wrote while sharing the video online.

Man Followed Her To The Washroom Area

Farooq Abdullah narrowly escaped an assassination attempt at a wedding in Jammu. The assailant, 63-year-old Kamal Singh Jamwal, fired a shot at Abdullah but missed before being apprehended by security personnel.

National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah and Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary had a narrow escape after a gunman opened fire on them at a marriage function in Jammu on Wednesday night. Abdullah, 88, survived the alleged assassination attempt as the shooter fired at him from behind when he was leaving a marriage function at the posh Greater Kailash area on the outskirts of Jammu.

According to party MLA Ajaz Ahmed Jan, when Abdullah and others were departing from the function, the accused came from behind and placed a revolver on his back. He then fired his shot, which he missed.

“The people who were with Doctor Sahib’s (Farooq Abdullah) security people caught him in a moment, made him fall, pressed him, and, with great difficulty, we took the pistol from him. Then we left from there and came back home,” Jan said.

“It is a very unfortunate part that the gun reached inside the wedding, but let’s be thankful that everyone is fine. Farooq Abdullah is absolutely fine. He has gone to his room to rest,” Jan said.

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J&K| Firing at wedding attended by Farooq Abdullah and Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary. pic.twitter.com/mOq0AN5S45

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) March 11, 2026

 

Vidhan Bhavan, the Maharashtra legislature complex at Nariman Point in Mumbai, was emptied due to a bomb threat on Thursday morning.

Vidhan Bhavan, the Maharashtra legislature complex at Nariman Point in Mumbai, was emptied due to a bomb threat on Thursday morning.

The budget session of the state legislature is in progress. Proceedings in the Assembly were to start at 9.45 am, while the Council is scheduled to start at 10 am.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Satyanarayan termed the threat a hoax.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/fashion/newlywed-rashmika-mandanna-boulder-sized-ring-with-simple-look-steals-the-show-at-airport-with-vijay-deverakonda-101773281663768.html

Uttam Nagar fire: Authorities added that the locality where the fire broke out is a few kilometres away from the area that witnessed tension earlier this month.

A massive fire broke out at a fish market in Matiala near Uttam Nagar in west Delhi around midnight between Wednesday and Thursday, prompting a large firefighting operation, officials said.

According to the Delhi Fire Service (DFS), a call regarding the blaze at the fish market in Matiala was received at 11.55 pm, following which 23 fire tenders were rushed to the spot.