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According to the Trombay police officials, the deceased victim is identified as Prathamesh Bhokse, and on the evening of May 3, he had gone to a shop which was run by Anand Kamble and Mohammad Ahmed Reza Shaikh to eat chicken shawarma with his friends.
Mumbai: 1 Dead, 5 Admitted Due To Food Poisoning After Eating Chicken Shawarma In Mankhurd | Representational photo
Mumbai: A 19-year-old youth died on Tuesday morning after consuming chicken shawarma from a local shop located at Mankhurd’s Maharashtra Nagar area, while at least 5 are still admitted at KEM Hospital, receiving treatments for food poisoning.
According to the Trombay police officials, the deceased victim is identified as Prathamesh Bhokse, and on the evening of May 3, he had gone to a shop which was run by Anand Kamble and Mohammad Ahmed Reza Shaikh to eat chicken shawarma with his friends.
Bhokse returned home as usual, but the next day, he started to experience stomach pain and vomiting. Thinking he would get better, Bhokse stayed home but since his vomiting didn’t stop up until the evening, his parents took him to a nearby hospital for treatment.
In the statement by deputy commissioner of police Hemrajsingh Rajput, Zone VI, he said that Bhokse felt alright after receiving the treatment but he couldn’t consume food for the whole day on April 5. By evening, again his symptoms continued, this time along with diarrhea.
Given the severity, Bhokse was taken to KEM Hospital in Parel where he was treated. Bhokse was given some medicines and sent back home. However, as he reached home, his symptoms continued and he was taken back to KEM hospital and this time, he was admitted for an elaborate treatment.
However, despite the treatment, Bhokse couldn’t survive and the doctors declared him dead on Tuesday morning at 10:30 am. DCP Rajput added that a case was registered against the two accused, who ran the chicken shawarma shop, for using spoiled chicken that led to the death of Bhokse.
The DRF ( Disaster Relief Force) teams were deployed and were clearing water stagnation and fallen trees in various places in the city, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation officials said.
Representative image for rain Credit: PTI Photo
Hyderabad: As many as seven persons, including a four-year old child were killed when a retaining wall at an under construction apartment came crashing down due to heavy rains in Bachupally area here, police said on Wednesday.
According to Bachupally police, the deceased were migrant workers who belonged to Odhisha and Chhattisgarh and the incident happened on Tuesday evening.
Their bodies were recovered early on Wednesday from under the debris using an excavator, police said.
Heavy rain lashed the city and several parts of Telangana on Tuesday throwing the life out of gear in some parts.
Endorsements by public figures, influencers, celebrities etc. go a long way in promoting a product and it is imperative for them to act with responsibility, the Court said.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday warned that social media influencers and celebrities would be equally responsible and liable if they are found endorsing products or services in misleading advertisements.
A Bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah noted that there are Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) guidelines which call for influencers to be transparent about paid endorsements.
The Court went on to observe:
“We are of the opinion that the advertisers or the advertising agencies or endorsers are equally responsible for issuing false and misleading advertisements. Endorsements by public figures, influencers, celebrities etc. go a long way in promoting a product and it is imperative for them to act with responsibility when endorsing any product in the course of advertisements.”
The Court has emphasised that influencers and celebrities should ensure that they comply with CCPA guidelines while endorsing any product and should not abuse the trust placed in them by the public.
“They have to take responsibility for advertisements as contemplated in guideline 8 (ads that target or use children) and guideline 12 (duties of manufacturers, service providers and ad agency) to ensure that the trust of the consumer is not abused or exploited due to sheer lack of knowledge or experience. Guideline 13 requires due responsibility to be taken for advertisements and requires a person who endorses a product to have adequate information or experience with the specific food product to be endorsed, and it must be ensured that it is not deceptive,” the Court said.
The Court added that these CCPA guidelines and other provisions under the Consumer Protection Act are meant to ensure that the consumer is aware of the products purchased from the market, particularly in the health and food sectors.
The Court made these observations while dealing with a case filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) against Patanjali Ayurved over misleading ads published by Patanjali which disparaged modern medicine.
The Court’s focus in this case was initially on Patanjali’s misleading ads (which the Court later imposed a temporary ban on), the failure of regulatory authorities to act against Patanjali, and the corrective steps to be taken by Patanjali and its promoters (Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna).
However, the Court’s attention was later drawn to several larger issues, including misleading advertisements by other consumer goods suppliers as well as unethical practices in modern medicine.
The Court today passed a slew of directions on these aspects today (click here to read more).
Advertisers need to give self-declaration before publishing ads: Court
The Court has also passed an interim “tide-over” order directing TV broadcasters and print media to file self-declaration forms assuring that any advertisement published or broadcast on their platform conforms to the laws in India, such as the Cable TV Network Rules of 1994 and the Advertising Code.
This self-declaration form is to be filed before the advertisement is carried.
The Court clarified that it should be made easy for the advertisers to file these self-declaration forms and that there should be no red-tape involved in the process.
“We don’t want a lot of red tape there (in submission of self-declarations by Advertisers). We don’t want to make it difficult for advertisers to advertise. We only want to make sure there is responsibility,” the Court said.
The Court proceeded to order that TV broadcasters be made to file the self-declaration on the Broadcast Seva portal run by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
India’s statement came in response to a Nagar Kirtan parade organised in Ontario, where floats and speeches aggressively targeted Indian political figures, including a depiction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi behind bars.
PM Narendra Modi, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau. (Photo: AFP)
India has again slammed Canada for giving space to extremist elements after pro-Khalistan imagery was displayed at a Nagar Kirtan parade at Malton in Toronto.
In a statement, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “As you are aware, we have repeatedly raised our strong concerns regarding the violent imagery being used by extremist elements in Canada against our political leadership. Last year, a float depicting the assassination of our former Prime Minister was used in a procession. Display of posters of Indian diplomats have also been put out across Canada threatening violence against them.”
“Celebration and glorification of violence should not be a part of any civilised society. Democratic countries which respect the rule of law should not allow intimidation by radical elements in the name of freedom of expression,” he added.
The Nagar Kirtan parade was organised by the Ontario Gurdwara Committee, where floats and speeches aggressively targeted Indian political figures, including a depiction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi behind bars.
The parade, spanning 6 kilometres, featured inflammatory speeches by figures such as Paramjit Mand of Dal Khalsa and Avtar Singh Pannu, who has been declared a terrorist by Indian security agencies.
“We continue to remain concerned about the security of our diplomatic representatives in Canada and expect the Government of Canada to ensure that they are able to carry out their responsibilities without fear,” Jaiswal said.
“We again call upon the Government of Canada to stop providing criminal and secessionist elements a safe haven and political space in Canada,” he added.
Ties between New Delhi and Ottawa have been strained since Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau’s allegations in September last year of a potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
New Delhi rejected Trudeau’s charges as “absurd”.
Recently, Justin Trudeau, along with other prominent Canadian leaders, attended a Khalsa Day celebration event in Toronto. Videos from the event showed pro-Khalistan slogans being raised as Trudeau began addressing the crowd.
Accused killers of Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar made a brief court appearance in British Columbia. The murder caused tensions between Canada and India. Canadian police are looking into connections to the Indian government
Karan Brar, Kamalpreet Singh and Karanpreet Singh, the three individuals charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to murder in relation to the murder in Canada of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023 (Reuters)
TORONTO: The three men accused of murdering Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year in a killing that triggered a diplomatic crisis between Canada and India appeared briefly in a British Columbia courtroom on Tuesday.
Karanpreet Singh, 28, Kamalpreet Singh, 22 and Karan Brar, 22, all Indian nationals, face charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
The three appeared via video link wearing orange prison uniforms.
Nijjar, 45, was shot dead in June outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, a Vancouver suburb with a large Sikh population. A few months later, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau prompted a diplomatic crisis with New Delhi when he cited evidence of Indian government involvement in Nijjar’s death.
Canadian police said Friday they are probing whether the three accused had ties to the Indian government.
India has denied involvement in Nijjar’s death. Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said on Saturday India will wait for Canadian police to share information on the three accused.
“One of our concerns which we have been telling them is that, you know, they have allowed organized crime from India, specifically from Punjab, to operate in Canada,” Jaishankar said.
Nijjar was a Canadian citizen campaigning for the creation of Khalistan, an independent Sikh homeland carved out of India. The presence of Sikh separatist groups in Canada has long frustrated New Delhi, which had labeled Nijjar a “terrorist.”
Canadian Sikh leaders have called for Canada to investigate Indian interference in Canadian affairs. Nijjar’s longtime friend Moninder Singh called the arrests in his friend’s death “bittersweet” last week.
The Bare Necessities Index measures quality and accessibility of basic needs in India. It is based on 26 indicators across five dimensions: water, sanitation, housing, microenvironment, and other facilities.
Former CEA Krishnamurthy Subramanian
Citing the “Bare Necessities Index” developed in Economic Survey 2020-21, former CEA Krishnamurthy Subramanian said India’s Muslim community benefited as much as Hindus from various schemes of the Modi government, including those for housing, health benefits and power.
The Bare Necessities Index measures quality and accessibility of basic needs in India. It is based on 26 indicators across five dimensions: water, sanitation, housing, microenvironment, and other facilities.
“The increase in the index from 2012 to 2018 (latest available data from NSSO surveys) is the same for Hindus and Muslims. Thus, Modi Government has helped to improve access to the bare necessities equally to Hindus and Muslims. The access to bare necessities has improved for every religious group in the country. As access to bare necessities was higher for other religious groups, their increase has been lower. Yet, the levels of access to bare necessities remains higher for the other religious groups as of 2018,” he said in a post on X.
Subramanian said the Prime Minister had “walked the talk” of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. “Think about your kids and their economic future and get out of the psychology of fear created by vested interests.”
This is a very imp msg that Hon’ble PM @narendramodi has given to the Nation’s Muslims: “Think about ur and ur kids economic future and get out of the psychology of fear created by vested interests.”
Is this talk or has PM Modi indeed “walked the talk”? Here, I’m providing imp… https://t.co/ZSM1K2KyETpic.twitter.com/mUhYPoXym0
— Prof. Krishnamurthy V Subramanian (@SubramanianKri) May 6, 2024
A recent study by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister said that there was no evidence of the Modi government catering only to one community from 2015-16 to 2019-21, and has claimed that in some cases, minority communities have gained more than majority.
Titled ‘A Secular Democracy in Practice: Objective Assessment of Amenities Programs in India’, the study by EAC-PM member and economist Shamika Ravi examined the gains in electricity, bank accounts, mobiles, and toilets, citing the data to contest the perception of ‘dwindling democracy’ in India as alleged by opposition parties.
The complaint was lodged by the parent of one of the boys. He told the police that his son and four other children were playing when their ball flew into a nearby BEST power station.
Mumbai: Security Guard Sentenced To 10-Years In Jail For Sexually Assaulting 5 Children In 2018 | Representational Image
Mumbai: The special POCSO court has sentenced a security guard to 10 years’ imprisonment for sexually assaulting five children in December 2018. The complaint was lodged by the parent of one of the boys. He told the police that his son and four other children were playing when their ball flew into a nearby BEST power station.
When the children went into the premises to retrieve the bail, the guard, 24-year-old Surendrakumar Jaiswal, caught them. Jaiswal made them strip and took their photos. Thereafter, he took one of the boys to another floor and sexually assaulted him. He then sexually assaulted all the children.
The complainant said the accused threatened the boys that he would upload their picture on social media if they discussed the incident with anyone. The public prosecutors, Vinod More and Veena Shelar, examined 13 witnesses, including the complainant and the children. The children identified the accused and narrated the entire incident before the court.
The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday arrested Jharkhand Minister Alamgir Alam’s personal secretary Sanjiv Lal and his house help after it recovered “unaccounted cash”, estimated to be Rs 34.23 crore.
Jharkhand raid
The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday arrested Jharkhand Minister Alamgir Alam’s personal secretary Sanjiv Lal and the latter’s house help Jahangir after it recovered “unaccounted cash” worth Rs 34.23 crore during a raid on Monday.
The PTI news agency said the two men were arrested under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after they were questioned overnight.
A video shared by news agency ANI showed Sanjiv Lal and Jahangir Alam being brought to the court before their arrest.
On Tuesday, Lal and Jahangir will be produced before a court today, following which the Enforcement Directorate will take them on remand.
On his part, Alam, the 70-year-old Congress leader and Jharkhand’s Rural Development Minister, has denied any wrong doing.
On Monday, the Enforcement Directorate conducted multiple raids in Ranchi, including a flat occupied by Lal’s house help, in connection to a money laundering case against Virendra K Ram, a former chief engineer of the Jharkhand Rural Development Department, who was arrested in February 2023.
The case is linked to alleged irregularities in the implementation of some schemes in the department.
Besides the huge amount of cash and jewellery recovered from Jahangir’s premises, the probe agency also found Rs 3 crore at another location that belonged to builder Munna Singh, who used to work as a contractor in the Jharkhand Rural Development Department.
The money laundering case against Virendra K Ram stems from a complaint by the Jharkhand Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
Noida Road Rage: Goons in BMW Car Attack Family At 1 AM (Photo Credits: Reddit)
In a road rage incident in Greater Noida, a family of four was assaulted by a group of men around 1 a.m. in the Knowledge Park area as they were on their way to a hospital. The frightening ordeal was captured on the family’s car dashcam. The attackers, driving a BMW, not only repeatedly rammed into the family’s car from behind but also overtook them multiple times and hurled bottles at their vehicle.
As shared by CarsIndia on Reddit, the video shows several cars approaching from the opposite direction, and a BMW aggressively overtaking a vehicle in front of the family’s car. Despite the family’s car not making any mistakes or retaliating, the BMW started tailing them down a deserted road. After overtaking them once and attempting to engage in an argument by stopping in front of their car, the driver of the EcoSport carrying the family chose to avoid confrontation and changed his route.
As the family continued to drive at a high speed, with a woman in the background heard calling for emergency assistance, the BMW continued to ram and attack their car from behind.
The BMW once again overtook them, this time on a road with no alternate routes, and 2-3 individuals exited the BMW to throw bottles at the family. Thankfully, the driver, remaining calm and alert, quickly reversed the car and then made a U-turn to accelerate away.
This portion of the video, which was shared on Reddit, quickly went viral, instilling fear in the viewers.
“High beam, overtaking through the wrong lane, damaged the car, it was 100% their mistake after all that they have b***s to not only turn around and chase after them but start hitting them. Sometimes I wish I was just a vigilante chasing after these type of people and breaking each and every bone in their body,” commented one user. Another expressed, “So Scary man !!!! Props to the driver for not panicking. He was so calm and controlling the car so smoothly,” expressed another.
FIR filed against BJP leaders for social media post intimidating SC/ST community, violating model code of conduct
File photo of BJP National President J P Nadda. | Photo Credit: VIJAY SONEJI
An FIR (First Information Report) has been registered against Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) president J P Nadda, the party’s IT cell head Amit Malviya, and Karnataka unit chief B Y Vijayendra in connection with a social media post allegedly intimidating members of Scheduled Caste(SC) and Scheduled Tribes(ST) community not to vote for a particular candidate, police said on May 6.
The action was taken following a complaint lodged by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) with the Election Commission and police on May 5 alleging violation of model code of conduct, they said.
They were booked under the sections of the Representation of People Act and section 505 (2) [Statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes] of the Indian Penal Code, a senior police officer said.
In the complaint, the KPCC cited a video uploaded on the social media platform ‘X’ by the official account of Karnataka State BJP which, it alleged, is operated by Mr. Malviya, on instructions of Mr. Nadda, Mr. Vijayendra and Social Media incharge – Karnataka BJP, on May 4.
“The said video posted on social media featured animated characters of [Congress leader] Rahul Gandhi and [Chief Minister] Siddaramaiah. In the clip, the SC, ST and OBC community are portrayed as “eggs” in a nest and it also suggested Rahul Gandhi planting a big egg labelled as Muslim community. It is projected as though funds are being fed to the chick depicting the Muslim community, which then kicks out SC, ST and OBC communities,” it alleged.
The police said that the local police, bomb disposal squad and crime branch personnel were checking the schools.
Representative image of a bomb. Credit: iStock Photo
On the eve of Lok Sabha elections in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad, as many as 10 schools received an email on Monday threatening bomb blasts, though a police statement said this was a hoax as searches failed to unearth anything suspicious.
After being alerted, police as well as bomb detection and disposal squad, dog squad and Crime Branch teams reached these schools and conducted a thorough search, a statement by Ahmedabad City Crime Branch informed.
“No explosives were found during the search operation. Our teams are patrolling these areas and technical surveillance has also been initiated about the sender of the email. We appeal to people not to panic and to stay away from rumours. This threat was a hoax,” the statement said.
Ignore this email (sent to schools) and exercise your voting rights tomorrow without any fear, it asked citizens.
The schools that received the threat email included DPS and Anand Niketan in Bopal, Udgam School on SG Highway, Calorx School in Ghatlodia, Kendriya Vidyalaya at Chandkheda and Army Cantonment on Airport Road.
“The sender threatened to blow up our school. Our school has 24-hour security and NEET was conducted at our campus yesterday. We have not received any parcels from outside and our doors were also shut,” said Udgam School administrator Dhimant Choksi.
“Some schools received emails threatening bomb blasts. This seems to be on the lines of bomb threats received by schools in Delhi some days back. As per our primary investigation, the email’s domain is out of India. The email was sent from a location outside of India,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime Cell) Lavina Sinha told
During the search, nothing suspicious was found, she added.
The district education officer Rohit Chaudhary said after the emails were received schools informed local police, while his department updated the control room.
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) announced the results of the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) for class 10 and the Indian School Certificate (ISC) for class 12 today, May 6, 2024.
Aspirants can access their results via the official CISCE portals, cisce.org and results.cisce.org, as well as through SMS. Additionally, CISCE will disseminate the results for Classes 10 and 12 on DigiLocker at results.digilocker.gov.in.
In the Delhi and NCR region, 46 schools presented candidates for the ICSE examination, with a total of 5,629 candidates. Among them, 2,960 were boys and 2,669 were girls. The pass percentage for ICSE stands at an impressive 99.88% up by 0.20% from last year, with girls outperforming boys.
For the ISC examination, 41 schools participated, accounting for 3,332 candidates. Of these, 1,742 were boys and 1,590 were girls. The pass percentage for ISC is 99.10% up by 0.06% from last year, with girls again surpassing boys.
Nationwide and internationally, 2,43,617 candidates appeared for ICSE, with girls achieving a pass percentage of 99.65%. For ISC, 99,901 candidates appeared, with girls attaining a pass percentage of 98.92%.
Compared to last year, the pass percentages have seen a marginal increase, with the overall ICSE pass percentage at 99.47% and ISC pass percentage at 98.19%.
The raging fire has caused a mammoth loss of flora and fauna in Uttarakhand. Over 1,144 hectares of forest land have been lost in a plethora of fire incidents across the hill state. The Forest Survey of India (FSI) has issued numerous fire alerts to Uttarakhand, underlining the severity of the situation.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a review meeting with officials and asked them to develop a mechanism to curb forest fire incidents in the state.
Uttarakhand has been witnessing an unprecedented spree of forest fire incidents across the state for the last few months. The mounting fire has claimed yet another life in the hill state, taking the total death tally to five in the last three days. A 28-year-old Nepalese labourer, identified as Pooja, succumbed to her burn injuries on Saturday. She was trapped while trying to douse the blaze near a pine resin factory in Almora district, where he sustained critical injuries.
Pooja’s husband had also died while trying to blow out the fire in the same incident. Two other persons were killed in this incident.
The raging fire has caused a mammoth loss of flora and fauna in Uttarakhand. Over 1,144 hectares of forest land have been lost in a plethora of fire incidents across the hill state. The Forest Survey of India (FSI) has issued numerous fire alerts to Uttarakhand, underlining the severity of the situation.
3 Arrested From Bihar For Promoting Forest Fires In Chamoli:
Uttarakhand Police on Saturday nabbed three Bihar residents for promoting forest fire incidents in Chamoli. The accused have been identified as Brijesh Kumar, Salman and Shukhlal. The police action came after a viral video, in which the miscreants were talking about promoting fire incidents. “Nobody challenges those who play with fire and Biharis are never challenged,” a youth could be heard saying in the viral video.
The trio has been booked under Section 26 of the Indian Forest Act 1927 and several other sections of the Indian Penal Code.
CM Dhami Holds Review Meeting:
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a review meeting with officials and asked them to develop a mechanism to curb forest fire incidents in the state.
Rain Alert From May 7:
Bikram Singh, the director of the Meteorological Center in Dehradun, said rainfall was likely to take place in the state between May 7-8, with a predicted intensification from May 11 onwards. He mentioned that this rainfall could potentially aid in quelling the ongoing forest fires. Singh further noted that the rain is expected to commence in the Kumaon region on May 7 and in the Garhwal region on May 8.
Apple hasn’t talked too much about AI so far — but it’s been working on stuff. A lot of stuff.
It would be easy to think that Apple is late to the game on AI. Since late 2022, when ChatGPT took the world by storm, most of Apple’s competitors have fallen over themselves to catch up. While Apple has certainly talked about AI and even released some products with AI in mind, it seemed to be dipping a toe in rather than diving in headfirst.
But over the last few months, rumors and reports have suggested that Apple has, in fact, just been biding its time, waiting to make its move. There have been reports in recent weeks that Apple is talking to both OpenAI and Google about powering some of its AI features, and the company has also been working on its own model, called Ajax.
If you look through Apple’s published AI research, a picture starts to develop of how Apple’s approach to AI might come to life. Now, obviously, making product assumptions based on research papers is a deeply inexact science — the line from research to store shelves is windy and full of potholes. But you can at least get a sense of what the company is thinking about — and how its AI features might work when Apple starts to talk about them at its annual developer conference, WWDC, in June.
Smaller, more efficient models
I suspect you and I are hoping for the same thing here: Better Siri. And it looks very much like Better Siri is coming! There’s an assumption in a lot of Apple’s research (and in a lot of the tech industry, the world, and everywhere) that large language models will immediately make virtual assistants better and smarter. For Apple, getting to Better Siri means making those models as fast as possible — and making sure they’re everywhere.
In iOS 18, Apple plans to have all its AI features running on an on-device, fully offline model, Bloomberg recently reported. It’s tough to build a good multipurpose model even when you have a network of data centers and thousands of state-of-the-art GPUs — it’s drastically harder to do it with only the guts inside your smartphone. So Apple’s having to get creative.
In a paper called “LLM in a flash: Efficient Large Language Model Inference with Limited Memory” (all these papers have really boring titles but are really interesting, I promise!), researchers devised a system for storing a model’s data, which is usually stored on your device’s RAM, on the SSD instead. “We have demonstrated the ability to run LLMs up to twice the size of available DRAM [on the SSD],” the researchers wrote, “achieving an acceleration in inference speed by 4-5x compared to traditional loading methods in CPU, and 20-25x in GPU.” By taking advantage of the most inexpensive and available storage on your device, they found, the models can run faster and more efficiently.
Over 400 products were flagged for various other deadly contaminations in EU countries, ranging from heavy metals like lead, mercury and cadmium to pesticides and fungicides being above permissible levels. Some of these have been banned in the EU over severe health hazards.
Ethylene oxide, the cancer-causing chemical that was found in ‘export quality’ products from India, may have been in news recently but it is not the only contaminant that came under the scrutiny of the European Union (EU).
Over 400 products were flagged for various other deadly contaminations in EU countries, ranging from heavy metals like lead, mercury and cadmium to pesticides and fungicides being above permissible levels. Some of these have been banned in the EU over severe health hazards.
On April 23, DH reported that EU countries had found ethylene oxide in 527 Indian products. DH analysis of an additional 500 products red-flagged by EU showed that between 2019 and 2024, more than 400 products from India were found to be unsafe. Of these, 276 were issued border rejection notice.
Lead, the toxic heavy metal that causes damage to kidney, brain and nervous system, was found in 14 products, ranging from ayurvedic supplements to turmeric powder.
Fish was among the six products exported from India contaminated with high levels of mercury, which damages nervous, digestive and immune systems as per WHO. As many as 21 products — mostly octopus, squid — had cadmium, which increases risk of chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease.
At least 59 products contained pesticides that were deemed carcinogenic. Tricyclazole, a fungicide banned in the EU for its carcinogenic and genotoxic properties, was found in 19 products, of which 12 were rice and the rest, herbs and spices.
About 20 products had 2-chloroethanol, a toxic byproduct of ethylene oxide. Nitrofurans were found in 10 products (crustaceans and meat). Ochratoxin A, a banned mycotoxin, was found in 10 products, including chillies, coffee and rice.
Over 52 products contained more than one pesticide/fungicide, with some testing positive for five active substances. At least 11 contaminated products had “organic” labels on them.
The “organic” moringa powder had bifenthrin, an insecticide banned in the EU since 2009 for its serious impact on human and wildlife health. Salmonella, a bacteria that causes diarrhea, fever and cramps, was found in organic shatavari, ashwagandha and sesame seeds among 100 other products.
CJI also commented on the dangers children face on digital platforms and cited the example of the “Momo Challenge”, a viral internet hoax that targeted children, particularly adolescents.
CJI DY Chandrachud in Nepal
Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud on Saturday said the way people treat children leaves a lasting impact on their mind, as he revealed how corporal punishment he faced at his school has remained imprinted in his heart and soul.
The CJI recalled how he was caned on his hands though he had requested the teacher to cane him on his “bum”.
“How you treat children leaves a deep impact in their mind for lifetime. I will never forget the day in school, I was not a juvenile delinquent, when I was caned on my hands and my offence was not to bring right sized needles to class for a craftwork. I still remember pleading my teacher to cane me on my bum and not my hand,” CJI Chandrachud recalled.
CJI added that he was too ashamed to inform his parents about it even as suffered in pain for the next few days and kept hiding the marks on his body.
“That left an imprint in my heart and soul and that it still is with me when i do my work. Such deep is the imprint of travesty on children,” he said.
CJI Chandrachud made the comments during the keynote address delivered by him at National Symposium on Juvenile Justice which was organised by the Supreme Court of Nepal.
Calling for a sensitive and reform-oriented approach to the children in conflict with law as well as child victims of various crimes, CJI said,
“When discussing Juvenile Justice, we have to recognise the vulnerabilities and unique needs of children embroiled in legal conflicts and ensure that our justice systems respond with empathy, rehabilitation, and opportunities for reintegration into society. It is crucial to grasp the multifaceted nature of juvenile justice and its intersections with various dimensions of our societies”
Commenting on the larger concept of juvenile justice, CJI Chandrachud referred to a recent case in which the Supreme Court had to deal with a plea seeking termination of pregnancy of a minor rape victim.
“Juvenile justice is not confined solely to the dictates of the Juvenile Justice Act but is rather shaped by the intricate interplay of various legislative acts. A recent case brought before the Supreme Court of India exemplifies this: a 14-year-old sought permission to terminate her pregnancy under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1971. Fearing repercussions and hindered by her innocence, she kept silent about the abuse she endured until she was well into her pregnancy. Recognizing the importance of safeguarding her mental and physical well-being, the court granted her request for termination. However, she ultimately decided against it,” the CJI said.
In the context of internet anonymity, the CJI commented on the dangers children face on digital platforms.
Citing the example of the “Momo Challenge”, a viral internet hoax that targeted children, the CJI said,
“This hoax purported a series of escalating dares, including self-harm or suicide, although it was later debunked. Its rapid dissemination highlights the susceptibility of juveniles to online dangers. There is a need for proactive measures to educate and safeguard young individuals in the digital age, emphasizing digital literacy, responsible online behaviour, and effective parental guidance as crucial components in mitigating cyber-related risks“.
Sara Tendulkar, the daughter of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, has emerged as a prominent figure in the realm of Gen-Z social media influencers. With her captivating charm and stunning appearance, she has amassed a substantial following on various social platforms, where she candidly shares glimpses of her life. Despite her fame, Sara’s journey hasn’t been without hurdles. In a recent interview with Vogue, she bravely disclosed her battle with PCOS, recounting the struggles she faced with persistent acne during her teenage years. Despite numerous attempts with various treatments, she found no respite until she made significant lifestyle changes.
Acknowledging the root cause of her health issues, Sara embarked on a journey of transformation, incorporating regular weight training, a protein-rich diet, and proper hydration into her routine. Through diligence and perseverance, she managed to gain control over her condition and prevent further breakouts. Beyond her social media persona, Sara’s academic achievements also command attention. Following her mother’s footsteps into the medical field, Sara earned her Masters’ in Medical Science from the esteemed University College of London with distinction in November 2023, marking a significant milestone in her educational journey.
Amidst her personal triumphs, Sara’s rumored romance with cricketer Shubman Gill fuels public curiosity. Although neither has confirmed nor denied the speculation, their frequent appearances together and shared moments from vacations only intensify the speculation surrounding their relationship. Sara Tendulkar’s narrative transcends her familial ties and influencer status, encompassing her resilience in overcoming health challenges, academic excellence, and intriguing personal life, making her a compelling figure in the public eye.
Greater Noida in UP was the most polluted city in the country with an AQI of 346, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) bulletin at 4 pm.
‘Very poor’ air quality causes respiratory illness on prolonged exposure, according to the CPCB. @Sunnesh K
Patna was the second most polluted city in India on Sunday, recording an air quality index (AQI) of 316, which is classified as ‘very poor’.
Other cities in the state that recorded ‘poor’ AQI are Siwan (282), Muzaffarpur (233), Hajipur (232) and Bettiah (221). Greater Noida in UP was the most polluted city in the country with an AQI of 346, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) bulletin at 4 pm.
‘Very poor’ air quality causes respiratory illness on prolonged exposure, according to the CPCB. AQI is an assessment of air quality that takes into account pollutants, including PM 2.5 — particulate matter less than 2.5 microns, and PM 10.
Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) chairman Devendra Kumar Shukla told PTI, “It is true that the air quality has deteriorated in certain cities of the state. It is because of low wind speed, ongoing construction activities without following pollution control measures and recent fire incidents in Patna and surrounding areas.”
Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar claimed that former state anti-terrorism squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare was killed by an “RSS-linked cop”, and not by terrorist Ajmal Kasab, during the 26/11 terror attack.
Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar. (Photo: Facebook)
Maharashtra Leader of Opposition Vijay Namdevrao Wadettiwar waded into controversy after he alleged that an RSS-affiliated cop, and not terrorist Ajmal Kasab, killed former state anti-terrorism squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.
Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar attacked Ujjwal Nikam, the BJP candidate from Mumbai North Central, while referring to Hemant Karkare. Nikam was the public prosecutor in the 26/11 terror attack trial in which Ajmal Kasab was sentenced to death.
“Nikam defamed Congress by raising the issue of biryani. Will anyone give biryani to Kasab? Later, Ujjwal Nikam accepted it, what kind of a lawyer is he, a traitor who did not even testify in the court? The bullet that killed Mumbai Police officer Hemant Karkare was not fired from Kasab’s gun, but from a police officer loyal to RSS at that time. If the BJP is giving a ticket to a traitor who hid this truth from the court, then the question arises of why is BJP supporting these traitors?” said Wadettiwar.
Reacting to Wadettiwar’s statement, BJP’s National General Secretary Vinod Tawde said, “Congress can stoop to any level to please and get its special vote bank. Senior leader of Maharashtra Congress and LoP Vijay Wadettiwar proved this by giving a clean chit to the terrorists of 26/11. According to him, Kasab did not shoot at martyr Hemant Karkare ji. Did Congress not feel ashamed at all while supporting the terrorists? Today the whole country has also come to know why prayers are being offered in Pakistan for the victory of Congress and the prince.”
Wadettiwar later clarified his statement, saying that he was quoting from a book written by SM Mushrif.
“Those are not my words. I just said what was written in SM Mushrif’s book. The book had complete information. The bullet with which Hemant Karkare was shot was not a terrorist’s bullet,” he said.
Wadettiwar was referring to SM Mushrif’s book ‘Who Killed Karkare’, which he wrote in 2009. SM Mushrif is a former Inspector General of Police and brother of Maharashtra Minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Hasan Mushrif.
“Hemant Karkare was not killed by terrorists’ bullets. This is written in the book of police officer SM Mushrif. Why did Ujjwal Nikam not bring this to the fore? Police officer SM Mushrif has written in his book that Hemant Karkare was killed by a bullet, and that bullet is not of extremists (terrorists)… It is not a big deal to hang Ajmal Kasab, any ordinary lawyer or bailout lawyer could have done this,” he said.
The video has hit the internet as the election campaigning for the 14 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka has reached the final stages. The video of the incident is doing rounds on social media and BJP has slammed the leader for his action.
DK Shivakumar Slaps Congress Leader Trying To Take Selfie During Election Campaign In Karnataka; BJP Reacts | Twitter
A video has emerged on social media in which Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Congress leader DK Shivakumar slapped a party leader in Karnataka’s Haveri. The video has hit the internet as the election campaigning for the 14 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka has reached the final stages. The video of the incident is doing rounds on social media and BJP has slammed the leader for his action.
The incident occurred on Saturday (May 4) when DK Shivakumar reached Haveri’s Savanur for campaigning. It can be seen in the video that DK shivakumar got out of his car amid a huge crowd. Congress leader and Municipal Council member Alauddin Maniyar received the Deputy CM and was chanting slogans of DK…DK. He put his hand over the shoulder of Shivakumar and was posing for a selfie.
कांग्रेस नेता अलाउद्दीन मनियार ने कर्नाटक के डिप्टी CM डीके शिवकुमार के कंधे पर हाथ रख दिया
अब डीके शिवकुमार को लगा कि यह दो कौड़ी का गुलाम मेरे कंधे पर हाथ कैसे रख दिया फिर डीके शिवकुमार ने उसे पूरे दो तमाचे कस के लगा दिए
— Abhishek Kumar Kushwaha (Modi Ka Pariwar) (@TheAbhishek_IND) May 5, 2024
DK Shivakumar Slapped Maniyar
However, DK Shivakumar got furious as Maniyar put his hand on his shoulder. DK Shivakumar moved a bit and slapped Alauddin Maniyar from behind. Following this, the security personnel and supporters of DK Shivakumar pushed him away. The incident has provided the BJP with an opportunity to target the Congress party amid the ongoing Pratap Revanna case in Karnataka.
Karnataka’s DCM, DK Shivakumar, slaps Congress Municipal Member Allauddin Maniar, while campaigning in Savanur town of Haveri. This is not the first time DK has assaulted a Congress worker.
His crime? He happened to put his hands on DK Shivakumar’s shoulder, when the latter… pic.twitter.com/meDwwr0zRz
— Amit Malviya (मोदी का परिवार) (@amitmalviya) May 5, 2024
BJP IT Cell Chief Amit Malviya took to his official X account and said, “Karnataka’s DCM, DK Shivakumar, slaps Congress Municipal Member Allauddin Maniar, while campaigning in Savanur town of Haveri. This is not the first time DK has assaulted a Congress worker. His crime? He happened to put his hands on DK Shivakumar’s shoulder, when the latter stepped out of the car.”
He further said, “I wonder why do Congress workers even want to work for the Congress? Their leaders slap them, humiliate them, don’t give them tickets to contest (all of them are cornered by family members)… Is it for the corruption money they make on the side? No self respect?”
“These are all stunts and not terrorist attacks. There is no truth in it. BJP is playing with the lives of people and bodies,” Charanjit Channi said
The terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch, in which a soldier of the Indian Air Force died, has become grist to the political mill amid the massive seven-phase election across the country. Two leaders of the Opposition, former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and Rashtriya Janata Dal’s Tej Pratap Yadav, have drawn a parallel with the Pulwama attack of 2019 in which 40 CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) men died, and alleged that Saturday’s attack was also a “stunt” to help the BJP win.
Their comments have provided the BJP a handle to attack the Congress, with Union Minister Anurag Thakur enumerating the instances the Grand Old Party has let down the armed forces.
“These are all stunts and not terrorist attacks. There is no truth in it. The BJP is playing with the lives of people and bodies,” Mr Channi said while campaigning in Jalandhar, from where he is contesting.
“These attacks are not really happening but just meant to benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party… Whenever elections take place, such stunts are played – like it happened last time,” he added, pointing to the 2019 Pulwama attack.
In Patna, Tej Pratap Yadav toed a similar line. “Whenever elections come, Pulwama and terrorist attacks take place,” he said.
“This is a poor statement. This reflects their mentality,” said Union minister Anurag Thakur. “Instead of strengthening the army, they did brokerage for 10 years… After Pulwama we did surgical strike. These people held a hearing at 2:30 pm to stop the hanging of the Parliament attack accused… People will not forget that 1000 km has been taken away – the area of Aksai Chin… a part has been taken by Sri Lanka,” he added.
Punjab leader Sunil Jakhar, who is among those who crossed over from the Congress to the BJP , also slammed the comment of Mr Channi. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, he said:
Ghastly statement by CWC member Channi belittling the valour of our brave soldiers is no less a crime and an insult to nation. Channi’s shameful statement on the attack on our Air Force personnel in Poonch calling their valour as a stunt shows the bankruptcy and frustration of…
— Sunil Jakhar(Modi Ka Parivar) (@sunilkjakhar) May 5, 2024
Jalandhar BJP candidate Sushil Rinku attacked Mr Channi. “The former Chief Minister says it was drama… a person who remained on such a sensitive post. Instead of mourning the death of saniks and recognising their martrydom, he says it is drama. I feel that this is disrespect to our saniks and it is also against country. I condemn it,” he said.
After the 2019 attack in Pulwama, which took place in the run-up to the general election, national security had become a key issue on which the polls had pivoted. Days after the attack, India had retaliated with aerial strikes at Balakot, deep inside Pakistani territory.
After the BJP victory in the election, the Opposition had raised multiple questions and even demanded a white paper.
Mr. Singh also said that India has been developing infrastructure along the frontier with China at a rapid speed, asserting that the country’s borders will remain safe
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during an interview with PTI, in New Delhi. | Photo Credit: PTI
India will never give up its claim on Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK) but it won’t have to capture it with force because its people, on their own, would want to be part of India after seeing the development in Kashmir, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said.
In an exclusive interview to PTI, Mr. Singh asserted that the ground situation has improved significantly in Jammu and Kashmir and that a time will come when AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) will no longer be required in the Union Territory.
The Defence Minister, however, said the matter is under the domain of the Union Home Ministry and it will take appropriate decisions. He said elections will also be held there definitely, but wouldn’t give a timeline.
“I think India will not have to do anything. The way the ground situation has changed in Jammu and Kashmir, the way the region is witnessing economic progress and the way peace has returned there, I think demands will emerge from people of PoK that they should merge with India,” he said.
“We will not have to use force to take PoK as people would say that we must be merged with India. Such demands are now coming,” he said. The Defence Minister asserted that “PoK was, is, and will remain ours”.
Citing improvement in the ground situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Singh said assembly elections will be held there soon, but did not give a timeline.
“The way the situation is improving in Jammu and Kashmir, I think a time will come when AFSPA will no longer be required there. It is my view and it is for the Home Ministry to decide on it,” he said.
The AFSPA empowers security forces to conduct operations and arrest anyone without any prior warrant. It also gives immunity to the forces if they shoot someone dead.
The Defence Minister, referring to Pakistan’s proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir, said Islamabad must stop cross border terrorism. “They are trying to destabilise India and we will not allow it to happen,” he said.
The ties between India and Pakistan came under severe strain after India’s warplanes pounded a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp in Balakot in Pakistan in February 2019 in response to the Pulwama terror attack.
ngh during an interview with PTI, in New Delhi. | Photo Credit: PTI
India will never give up its claim on Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK) but it won’t have to capture it with force because its people, on their own, would want to be part of India after seeing the development in Kashmir, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said.
In an exclusive interview to PTI, Mr. Singh asserted that the ground situation has improved significantly in Jammu and Kashmir and that a time will come when AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) will no longer be required in the Union Territory.
Also Read | Pakistan-occupied Kashmir will become part of India on its own: Union Minister V. K. Singh
The Defence Minister, however, said the matter is under the domain of the Union Home Ministry and it will take appropriate decisions. He said elections will also be held there definitely, but wouldn’t give a timeline.
“I think India will not have to do anything. The way the ground situation has changed in Jammu and Kashmir, the way the region is witnessing economic progress and the way peace has returned there, I think demands will emerge from people of PoK that they should merge with India,” he said.
“We will not have to use force to take PoK as people would say that we must be merged with India. Such demands are now coming,” he said. The Defence Minister asserted that “PoK was, is, and will remain ours”.
Citing improvement in the ground situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Singh said assembly elections will be held there soon, but did not give a timeline.
“The way the situation is improving in Jammu and Kashmir, I think a time will come when AFSPA will no longer be required there. It is my view and it is for the Home Ministry to decide on it,” he said.
The AFSPA empowers security forces to conduct operations and arrest anyone without any prior warrant. It also gives immunity to the forces if they shoot someone dead.
The Defence Minister, referring to Pakistan’s proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir, said Islamabad must stop cross border terrorism. “They are trying to destabilise India and we will not allow it to happen,” he said.
The ties between India and Pakistan came under severe strain after India’s warplanes pounded a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp in Balakot in Pakistan in February 2019 in response to the Pulwama terror attack.
The relations further deteriorated after India on August 5, 2019 announced the withdrawal of special powers of Jammu and Kashmir and the bifurcation of the state into two union territories.
India has been maintaining that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan while insisting that the onus is on Islamabad to create an environment free of terror and hostility for such an engagement.
‘Talks with China going on well’
As the military standoff between India and China drags on along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the talks between the two sides are going on well and indicated hope for a resolution of the lingering row.
Mr. Singh also said that India has been developing infrastructure along the frontier with China at a rapid speed, asserting that the country’s borders will remain safe.
“The talks are going on well,” he said declining to elaborate further considering the sensitive nature of the dialogue process.
Asked whether he was hopeful of a positive outcome and an end to the nearly four-year face-off between the two militaries, Singh shot back: “If there was no hope, then why to have talks.” “They [the Chinese side] also have hope and that is why holding the talks,” he said.
The Indian and Chinese militaries have been locked in a standoff since May 2020 and a full resolution of the border row has not yet been achieved though the two sides have disengaged from a number of friction points.
A woman, who was allegedly kidnapped by Karnataka MLA HD Revanna’s relative, was rescued from the farmhouse of the latter’s aide. She was found by the Karnataka Police’s Special Investigation Team.
Suspended JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna and his father-MLA HD Revanna are facing allegations of sexual assault and harassment.
A woman was rescued from the aide of Karnataka MLA HD Revanna’s farmhouse in Kaenahalli after she was allegedly kidnapped a few days ago. The development came amid the sex scandal involving suspended JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna.
The Karnataka Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) conducted an operation and rescued her from HD Revanna’s aide Rajasekhar’s farmhouse.
The woman, whose identity was not known, was allegedly kidnapped from her home on April 29 by Satish Babanna, a relative of HD Revanna. She had been held captive by Rajashekhar at his farmhouse since then.
The victim was rescued and brought to Bengaluru by the SIT. She was among the several victims who featured in the alleged sex tapes of Prajwal Revanna.
Earlier in the day, HD Revanna was arrested by the SIT from his father and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda’s home in connection with a kidnapping case registered against him.
The Karnataka Police team took HD Revanna into custody soon after his request for interim protection from arrest in a kidnapping case was rejected by a Bengaluru court.
HD Revanna is facing a kidnapping case following allegations that his associate abducted a 20-year-old man’s mother. Raju HD, the complainant, along with his mother, worked as a house help at HD Revanna’s farmhouse.
The case against HD Revanna was filed under Section 364A (kidnap) and Section 365 (forceful restraint) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and non-bailable sections were invoked by Karnataka Police.
Explicit video clips allegedly involving Prajwal Revanna had started making the rounds in Hassan in recent days, following which the state government constituted the SIT to probe the alleged sex scandal involving him.
Indian couple, grandchild killed in multi-vehicle accident in Canada’s Toronto; Indian consulate share condolences
The collision, which occurred on Monday night, claimed the lives of four individuals, including the three-month-old infant (HT_PRINT)
An Indian couple and their grandchild were among four people who lost their lives in a multi-vehicle collision on Highway 401 in Whitby on Monday. The Consulate General of India, Toronto, expressed profound condolences for the tragic loss of Manivannan, Mahalakshmi, and their infant grandchild, who were involved in the fatal accident on Highway 401 in Whitby.
“Heartfelt condolences on tragic loss of Indian nationals Mr. Manivannan, Mrs. Mahalakshmi & their grandchild in the Highway 401 collision. CG met the bereaved family at the hospital & assured all possible assistance. We are in touch with Canadian authorities,” said Consulate General of India, Toronto, in a post on X.
The grieving parents of the infant, residents of Ajax, survived the crash but sustained injuries. The 33-year-old father and 27-year-old mother were both hospitalised, with the mother undergoing treatment for serious injuries.
The cargo van involved in the collision also suffered casualties. The 21-year-old male driver of the van was pronounced deceased at the scene, while his 38-year-old male passenger was hospitalised with serious injuries.
The authorities have launched a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident. The Special Investigations Unit of the province continues probing the details of the collision, with a team of investigators and reconstructionists dedicated to unraveling the sequence of events.
In the wake of the heart-wrenching loss, the Consulate General of India in Toronto has assured the bereaved family of all possible assistance and remains in close contact with Canadian authorities.
Aditi Chopra shared the number of the scamster. (Photo Credit: Twitter)
Online financial scams have become quite rampant. Individuals have started to use UPI and other forms of digital financial services for ease of transactions, saving them a trip to the bank. While it is convenient, this can also lead to various scams if you are not cautious. Recently, Aditi Chopra, a Bengaluru-based businesswoman, shared about a complex financial scam. She almost fell prey to a well laid out fraud that simply employs smartly designed SMS to cause confusion and, eventually, take money.
Aditi posted her story on X to raise awareness about the new scam. She expressed, “Another day, another financial fraud scheme. TLDR: Please read and make sure you don’t trust any SMSes regarding financial transactions.” Aditi Chopra revealed that she was in an office call when someone contacted her and said he needed to send money to her father, but because there was a problem with his bank account, he requested him to wire it to her. He then read aloud her 10-digit mobile number. Once verified, she saw a SMS pop up on her phone.
Another day, another financial fraud scheme 🥸
TLDR: Please read and make sure you don’t trust any SMSes regarding financial transactions.
Incident: Was busy on an office call when this elderly sounding guy calls me and says, ‘Aditi beta, papa ko paise bhejne the par unko ja… pic.twitter.com/5CYwwwvjG7
— Aditi Chopra | Web3 Community 🛠️ (@aditichoprax) May 2, 2024
She wrote, “I first received an SMS mentioning an INR 10k credit, then an INR 30k credit, all while he’s on the call. Then, he suddenly gets all worked up and was like, ‘beta, mujhe toh INR 3k hi bhejne the par galti se 30k bhej diye, pls aap baaki paise wapas bhejde mai doctor sahaab ke yaha khada hu, unko dena hai paise’.”
Aditi stated that he created urgency by announcing that he had sent extra money, was at the doctor’s door and sending UPI IDs to return the remaining amount, and so on. She mentioned that this was where the scam started. Aditi explained, “One could falter and give in but Ik my dad, he over explains everything and triple checks in matters of money, whatever be the amount lol. He would have called beforehand and given me more context than needed.” Further, she stated that the SMS received on her phone were from an unknown number instead of an official bank ID.
The Russian legend, who retired from competitive chess in 2005, was responding to a post by a user on X on Friday.
Rahul Gandhi described himself as the best chess player among politicians.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s favourite chess player Garry Kasparov appears to have taken note of his fondness for the game and has some advice for him — “first win Rae Bareli before challenging for the top”.
The Russian legend, who retired from competitive chess in 2005, was responding to a post by a user on X on Friday.
Recently, the Congress posted a video of Mr Gandhi playing chess on his mobile phone while on the Lok Sabha election campaign trail. In the video, Mr Gandhi named Mr Kasparov as his favourite chess player and drew parallels between the game and politics.
In the video, Mr Gandhi described himself as the best chess player among politicians.
“Feel so relieved that @Kasparov63 and @vishy64theking retired early and didn’t have to face the greatest chess genius of our times,” said the X user, in a cheeky comment on Mr Gandhi.
Mr Kasparov, rather unusually, responded to the post.
“Traditional (sic) dictates that you should first win from Raebareli before challenging for the top,” wrote the 61-year-old, who is a vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and is based in Croatia after fleeing his country.
Mr Gandhi named Mr Kasparov as his favourite chess player in the video, saying he considered him a “non-linear thinker”.
“…once you get slightly better at it, the opponent’s pieces actually operate almost like your own,” he said, comparison between chess and politics.
Mr Gandhi filed his nomination from Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh on Friday. He is also contesting from Wayanad in Kerala.
The police contended that his caste certificates were fraudulent, resulting in the closure of the case due to a lack of evidence.
Rohith Vemula was a research scholar at the University of Hyderabad.Express illustrations
The Telangana Police announced the closure of its inquiry into the tragic demise of University of Hyderabad (UoH) student Rohith Vemula, claiming that he was not a Dalit and alluded that his death by suicide had been driven by apprehensions about his “real identity” being revealed.
Meanwhile, the state’s Director-General of Police (DGP) Ravi Gupta, ordered further investigation into the matter on Friday and announced plans to petition the court for permission to reopen the suicide case.
“As some doubts have been expressed by the mother and others of the deceased Rohit Vemula on the investigation conducted, it has been decided to conduct further investigation into the case. A petition will be filed in the Court concerned requesting the Hon’ble Magistrate to permit further investigation into the case,” a statement from Gupta’s office read.
This comes after the Cyberabad police concluded their investigation into his death and filed a closure report with a local court, claiming that Rohith was not a member of the Scheduled Caste and that he was aware of it.
According to the police report, the deceased had multiple issues weighing on him, which might have played a role in his decision to end his life.
“In addition to this, the deceased himself was aware that he did not belong to Scheduled Caste and that his mother got him a SC certificate. This could be one of the constant fears, as the exposure of the same would result in a loss of his academic degrees that he earned over the years and be compelled to face prosecution,” the report said.
The police contended that his caste certificates were fraudulent, resulting in the closure of the case due to a lack of evidence.
Meanwhile, the police also cleared the then Secunderabad MP Bandaru Dattatreya, Member of Legislative Council N Ramachander Rao, UoH Vice Chancellor Appa Rao, ABVP leaders, and then Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani of any wrongdoing in the case.
The report also underscored that no evidence could be found to substantiate the assertion that the actions of the accused drove the deceased to suicide.
Rohith Vemula, a research scholar at the University of Hyderabad in India, tragically died by suicide on January 17, 2016, sparking widespread outrage and protests across the country.
Vemula’s death snowballed into a political controversy, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi taking on the Central government in Parliament and Smriti Irani slamming alleged attempts to project it as a caste battle.
In a poignant final note, Vemula had expressed how he believed his birth was a “fatal accident,” reflecting on the deep sense of despair and discrimination he experienced before his tragic death.
“The value of a man was reduced to his immediate identity and nearest possibility. To a vote. To a number. To a thing. Never was a man treated as a mind. As a glorious thing made up of star dust. In every field, in studies, in streets, in politics, and in dying and living,” Rohith wrote in his note.
His death brought attention to issues of caste discrimination and social inequality in India’s higher education system and highlighted the challenges faced by Dalit students in academic institutions.
Speaking to TNIE in 2018, writer and Dalit rights activist Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd said, “Rohith’s death had triggered the Dalit movement and the ideological debate surrounding the discrimination of the oppressed committee. The incident will have a long-term effect as it has led to many protests, discourses and meetings on a national level. In Telanagana, the powerful emergence of the Bahujan left and the mobilisation of Dalit students has been empowering.”
Senior Advocate Murthy D Naik, representing Revanna, sought permission to withdraw the plea with the liberty to file a fresh one if required.
HD Revanna facebook
Janata Dal (Secular) leader and Karnataka Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) HD Revanna on Friday withdrew his anticipatory bail petition in the sexual abuse case involving his son and Hassan Lok Sabha Member of Parliament Prajwal Revanna.
Revanna withdrew his plea after Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) BN Jagadeesha told the special court that the rape charge under Section 376 of Indian Penal Code has not been invoked against HD Revanna.
It was also submitted that no non-bailable offences have been invoked against him at present.
The SPP earlier objected to the maintainability of the anticipatory bail petition and informed the Court that only a notice under Section 41 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) had been issued to HD Revanna.
The Court on Thursday had issued notice to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in the matter and listed the matter for hearing today.
After considering the submissions of the prosecution today, Senior Advocate Murthy D Naik, representing Revanna, sought permission to withdraw the plea with the liberty to file a fresh one if required.
The Court permitted the withdrawal.
According to media reports, Revanna has been booked in a fresh case related to the alleged kidnapping of one the victims of his son Prajwal Revanna.
The sexual abuse allegations against Prajwal Revanna had emerged after over 2,900 videos depicting the sexual assault of several women were circulated on social media.
On April 28, a first information report (FIR) was registered against Prajwal Revanna and his father HD Revanna under Sections 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 509 (insult to modesty of woman) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at the Holenaraseepur town police station, Hassan district.
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) is expected to reveal the results of the ICSE (Class 10) and ISC (Class 12) exams 2024 in the second week of May. Though no official confirmation has been provided yet, the CISCE typically announces results via a press conference, detailing toppers’ names, pass percentages, and other key data. Once announced, students can access their results on the CISCE’s official website. To check their scores, students need to visit www.cisce.org, select ICSE or ISC board exam results 2024, enter their course code, login credentials, and submit. The results will then be displayed for verification, download, and printing for future reference.
Similarly, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is anticipated to release Class 10 and 12 results after May 20, as indicated on cbseresults.nic.in, though no official confirmation has been provided on cbse.gov.in.
Union home minister Amit Shah during an interview with Network18. (Image: News18)
Delhi Police on Friday made its first arrest in the Amit Shah deepfake video case. The accused, Arun Reddy, runs a pro-Congress social media account.
According to police sources, Reddy handled the X account, ‘Spirit of Congress’.
Delhi Police arrest Arun Reddy, who handles the ‘Spirit of Congress’ X account, in the Union Home Minister Amit Shah doctored video case: Delhi Police pic.twitter.com/gB5L6Pzcbp
The Delhi Police, which is also under the MHA, filed the FIR in the case under Indian Penal Code sections 153 (causing provocation with intention to cause riot), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc), 465 (forgery), 469 (forgery to harm the reputation of any party), and 171G (publishing false statement with intent to affect the result of an election) and under the Information Technology Act.
The FIR targets certain handles on social media platforms, which edited Shah’s statements to falsely suggest that the minister argued for ending reservations in the country.
This action came a day after BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya said that the Telangana Congress wing was spreading an edited video of Shah, “which is completely fake and has the potential to cause large-scale violence.” In his post on X, Malviya clarified that Home Minister Shah only spoke about removing the unconstitutional reservation given to Muslims, on the basis of religion.
As ties between Israel and Turkey reach a historic low, Turkey, under Erdogan’s leadership, has stopped all trade with Israel in response to the ongoing Gaza war.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan (photo credit: REUTERS)
Turkey stopped all exports and imports to and from Israel as of Thursday, the Turkish trade ministry said, citing “worsening humanitarian tragedy” in the Palestinian territories.
“Export and import transactions related to Israel have been stopped, covering all products,” Turkey’s trade ministry said in a statement.
The country set a condition that it will lift its embargo on Israel if it chooses to provide unlimited humanitarian aid to Gaza, Y-Net reported.
“Turkey will strictly and decisively implement these new measures until the Israeli Government allows an uninterrupted and sufficient flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza,” the trade ministry said.
Turkey’s decision comes as unexpected, as Israel has chosen to increase its flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza in recent weeks.
The two countries had a trade volume of $6.8 billion in 2023.
Conflict over humanitarian aid air-drop
Turkey last month imposed trade restrictions on Israel over what it said was Israel’s refusal to allow Ankara to take part in aid air-drop operations for Gaza and its offensive on the enclave.
Earlier on Thursday, Israel’s foreign minister said that Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan was breaking agreements by blocking ports for Israeli imports and exports.
“This is how a dictator behaves, disregarding the interests of the Turkish people and businessmen, and ignoring international trade agreements,” Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz posted on social media platform X.
An employee at the Raj Bhavan in Kolkata on Thursday alleged that she was sexually harassed by West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose. The woman also lodged a complaint at the Hare Street police station in Kolkata.
The development came hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to arrive at the Raj Bhavan for a night stay. He is scheduled to address three election rallies in West Bengal on Friday.
Reacting to the allegations, Mr. Bose said he would not be cowed down by engineered narratives. “Truth shall triumph. I refuse to be cowed down by engineered narratives . If anybody wants some election benefits by maligning me, God Bless them. But they can not stop my fight against corruption and violence in Bengal,” the Raj Bhavan said in a statement, quoting the Governor.
The ruling Trinamool Congress said the “sanctity of Raj Bhavan has been tarnished”.
“Appalling and unthinkable! The sanctity of Raj Bhavan, a symbol of our constitutionality, has been tarnished. Hours before PM Narendra Modi was supposed to arrive at Raj Bhavan to spend the night, a woman was allegedly molested by the Governor under the false pretext of a job,” the party posted on X from its official handle.
The party has also sought that “justice must be delivered swiftly for the victim – no excuses, no delays”.
This comes after AstraZeneca admitted in court documents in the UK that their vaccine can cause rare side effects that can lead to blood clots and low platelet count.
Karunya, 20, and Rithaika, 18, died in 2021. (File)
The parents of a young woman who died allegedly after being given Covishield are planning to sue the world’s largest vaccine maker as well as the British pharma giant that had developed it during the Covid pandemic. This comes after AstraZeneca admitted in court documents in the UK that their vaccine can cause rare side effects that can lead to blood clots and low platelet count.
The AstraZeneca vaccine was manufactured in India by the Serum Institute of India (SII) under the name ‘Covishield’ and was widely administered here.
SII is yet to comment on this matter.
Venugopalan Govindan, who lost his 20-year-old daughter Karunya in 2021, said the admission was “too late” and came after “so many lives have been lost”.
I missed to tell Teena that today (May 1st) is Karunya’s birthday and she was the first wedding anniversary gift to me and my wife from the heavens. 😭
Perhaps due to editorial/space constraints few core points I gave missed to make… pic.twitter.com/bjJjHOc1aM
— Venugopalan Govindan (@gvenugopalan) May 1, 2024
In an online post, he said the Serum Institute should have stopped the vaccine supply after the 15 European countries had restricted its usage over deaths from blood clots. He said the grieving parents are fighting for justice in various courts, but are not getting a hearing.
“If sufficient remedies aren’t obtained, for the sake of justice and to prevent recurrence of this atrocity that was perpetrated in the name of public health, we will file fresh cases against any and all of those perpetrators because of whose actions the deaths of our children ensued. Eight of the victims’ families have connected and I am echoing the common sentiments of all of us,” he said.
Six-time MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh faced a massive political storm last year.
Former Indian wrestler and Olympic medallist Sakshee Malikkh reacted to BJP’s decision to field former wrestling body chief, Bri Bhushan Singh’s son, Karan Bhushan Singh, as its candidate from Uttar Pradesh’s Kaiserganj seat. Brij Bhushan Singh is an accused in a sexual harassment case.
“Daughters of the country lost, Brij Bhushan won. We all put our careers at stake and slept on the streets for many days in the sun and rain. To date, Brij Bhushan has not been arrested. We were not demanding anything, we were only demanding justice,” Sakshee Malikkh wrote on X.
Six-time MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh faced a massive political storm last year when several protesters, including Olympic medallists Sakshee Malikk and Bajrang Punia, along with Vinesh Phogat, hit the streets of Delhi to protest against Mr Singh, accusing him of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour during his tenure as the President of Wrestling Federation of India. He has denied all allegations against him in the case, which is in court.
A Delhi court last week dismissed an application by Mr Singh, seeking further examination of evidence concerning his whereabouts on the date — September 7, 2022 — of an alleged sexual harassment incident.
He had told the court that he was not in Delhi when one of the complainant wrestlers was allegedly sexually harassed.
Mr Singh has a strong influence in the Kaiserganj constituency and has represented the Gonda and Balrampur constituencies in Uttar Pradesh.
The BJP understands knows the political influence the six-time MP holds in the area. Therefore, it has chosen his son as his replacement. Sources in the BJP earlier told NDTV that the party leadership had spoken to him on the issue and that the heavyweight politician was still insisting on a poll pass.
His elder son Pratik Bhushan Singh is an MLA. Karan currently heads the Uttar Pradesh wrestling body.
Justin Trudeau said on April 28 that the killing of Nijjar last year was a “real problem” for the rules-based order and Canada’s relations with India
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, May 1 (AP)
India on Thursday rejected fresh assertions by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the involvement of Indian government agents in the killing of pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, saying his remarks reflect the political space given in Canada to separatism and extremism.
Trudeau said at an interaction with the media on the margins of the Khalsa Day Parade in Toronto on April 28 that the killing of Nijjar last year was a “real problem” for the rules-based order and Canada’s relations with India.
Asked about the allegations at a regular media briefing, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “Prime Minister Trudeau has made those remarks earlier as well, it’s nothing new. His remarks, to us, illustrate once again the kind of political space that has been given in Canada to separatism, extremism and people who practice violence.”
He added, “This not only impacts India-Canada relations but also encourages a climate of violence and criminality in Canada to the detriment of its citizens.”
On Monday, the external affairs ministry summoned Canada’s deputy high commissioner Stewart Wheeler to register a strong protest against the shouting of pro-Khalistan slogans in the presence of Trudeau and other political leaders at the Khalsa Day Parade.
The event had banners in support of Khalistan and depicting India’s leaders as the “killers” of Nijjar, who had been declared a terrorist by New Delhi.
India-Canada relations hit an all-time low last September after Trudeau alleged there was a potential link between Indian government agents and the killing of Nijjar, who was gunned down outside a gurdwara in Surrey in June 2023.
The Indian government has not yet responded to ABC’s revelations, especially since the Australian government has not lent its weight behind the claims published in the media.
The Australian and the Sydney Morning Herald said that two Indian “spies” were asked to leave.
Reports in the US and Australian media about operations allegedly by Indian “intelligence officials” overseas has caught the establishment off-guard and there is a sense of disquiet in New Delhi at what it sees as a “concerted pushback” from its key Western strategic partners, sources said.
On Tuesday, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that “Indian spies were kicked out of Australia after being caught trying to steal secrets about sensitive defence projects and airport security, as well as classified information on Australia’s trade relationships”.
The Australian and the Sydney Morning Herald said that two Indian “spies” were asked to leave.
“The so-called foreign ‘nest of spies’ disrupted by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) in 2020 was also accused of closely monitoring Indians living here and developing close relationships with current and former politicians,” the ABC reported.
Just a day earlier, on Monday, The Washington Post identified the intelligence official involved in the assassination plot of pro-Khalistan Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and sought to establish links with top officials in the Indian intelligence and security establishment.
Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the report makes “unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations” on a “serious matter”. He also pointed to the “ongoing probe” by the high-level panel to look into security concerns shared by the US government on networks of organised criminals, terrorists and others.
According to ABC, ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess had “alluded” to the spy network in his annual threat assessment in 2021 but didn’t disclose which country was allegedly behind it. Burgess had reportedly detailed how the spies cultivated and recruited an Australian government security clearance holder who had access to “sensitive details of defence technology,” ABC reported.
Fire tenders, bomb squads scrambled after principals get emails threatening to blow up schools; worried parents rush to pick up children; emails found to be hoax, meant to create panic: police; Special Cell probing all angles, including terror
Police personnel keeping vigil at Andhra Education Society on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA
Emails threatening to blow up private schools in Delhi and Noida on Wednesday morning sent security agencies into a tizzy and caused panic among students and their parents. Students were evacuated from 131 schools in Delhi and seven in Noida even as fire tenders, bomb disposal squads and sniffer dogs were rushed to schools to search for explosives.
DCP (PRO) Suman Nalwa said no suspicious object was found in the searches and that the emails, sent to school principals between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m., appeared to be a hoax.
“We suspect that the emails were sent to schools only to create panic in the city,” she said.
‘Russian domain’
Delhi Police sources said the email address used to send the threats to schools was registered with a Russian domain. However, the police are yet to ascertain whether the email originated from Russia or whether a virtual private network or Dark Web was used to mislead the investigation.
Senior officers said similar threats were made to the IGI Airport and some city hospitals in the last two days.
Law enforcement agencies in Delhi and Noida have registered separate cases under sections pertaining to criminal intimidation and criminal conspiracy of the IPC and for cybercrime under Section 66 of the IT Act.
Advay Brahmadathan, 11, a Class 7 student of Sardar Patel Vidyalaya in Lodhi estate, heard rumours of a fire within the school premises around 8.30 a.m.
“I saw one student crying. Many were curious about the cause. I asked my class teacher, who said there was a bomb threat,” he said. “By 10 a.m., the bomb squads had entered school premises and most of us were picked up from school,” he added.
Sudiksha, a Class 11 student of The Heritage School, Vasant Kunj, said, “As soon as the news spread, the school administration tried to contain the panic by escorting us out quickly. Our parents were very concerned.”
“There was a ruckus as many parents and students were around the campus. But the principal intervened and everyone calmed down,” she added.
Safe passage
Jyoti Arora, principal of Mount Abu School in Rohini, said that after hearing about other principals receiving threatening emails, she checked her inbox around 8.30 a.m. and found the same message.
“We made announcements about the evacuation. I also messaged the teachers, asking them to carry out the evacuation without panic,” she said.
While parents started lining up outside, school authorities called the police.
“Some younger students were confused and kept asking us what happened. When they saw their parents waiting outside, they became worried. We created exit counters so that children could leave calmly,” she added.
Aprajita Gautam, Delhi Parents’ Association president, said there was widespread panic among parents when messages started circulating on their WhatsApp groups around 7 a.m.
“Many schools announced early dispersal and some shared tracking details of the buses on which the children were being sent back home,” she said.
The plea was filed after manufacturer Astrazeneca admitted before a court in the United Kingdom that COVISHIELD has the potential to cause a rare side effect associated with blood clotting.
Supreme Court and Covid vaccine
A petition has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking directions to study the possible side effects of Astrazeneca’s COVISHIELD vaccine, one of two vaccines which was administered in India against COVID-19.
The plea was filed after Astrazeneca admitted before a court in the United Kingdom that COVISHIELD has the potential to cause a rare side effect associated with blood clotting.
The plea by advocate Vishal Tiwari stated that AstraZeneca has accepted a link between the vaccine and Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), a medical condition characterised by abnormally low levels of platelets and the formation of blood clots.
The petitioner has prayed than a medical expert panel be constituted by the Supreme Court under the supervision of a retired apex court judge and comprising of medical experts from All India Institute of Medical Science to examine the side effects of COVISHEILD and its risk factors.
The government is required to take immediate steps for the sake of the safety and health of Indian citizens, it was submitted.
“The issue has to be looked upon by the Union Government on priority so that in future no risk may occur regarding the health and life of India Citizens,” the plea said.
Tiwari has urged the court to order the establishment of a Vaccine Damage Payment System to compensate citizens who are severely disabled or pass away as a result of a COVID vaccine.
In August 2022, the Kerala High Court had called for urgent action from the Central Government and the National Disaster Management Authority to formulate guidelines for disbursing compensation to the families of persons who died due to reactions to the Covid-19 vaccine
In November 2022, when the top court was seized of a case dealing with mandatory vaccination and side effects of COVID-19 vaccines, the Union government had told the Supreme Court that it cannot be held liable to pay compensation for deaths caused by adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) said the same in response to a petition by the parents of two young women who had died allegedly due to the adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccine.
The government then told the Supreme Court that vaccines manufactured by third parties had successfully undergone regulatory review, and holding the State directly liable to provide compensation may not be “legally sustainable”.
Justice Hari Shankar said that the circular is in the teeth of its earlier decision and that the Directorate of Education cannot keep dragging schools to court.
School children
The Delhi High Court has stayed a circular issued by Delhi government’s Department of Education (DoE) restraining private schools located on land allotted by the government from increasing their fee without prior approval [Action Committee Unaided Recognized Private Schools v. Directorate of Education].
Justice C Hari Shankar stayed the circular, which was issued by the DoE on March 27.
“Till the next date of hearing, the operation of the impugned circular dated 27 March 2024 issued by the DoE shall stand stayed,” the Court said.
In an interim order passed on April 29, the High Court said that order issued by the government is directly contrary to the Court’s earlier decision.
Justice Hari Shankar noted that even though this judgment has been challenged by the government before the Division Bench, it has not been stayed or set aside.
“The DoE, howsoever, dissatisfied it may be with the judgment of this Court in Action Committee Unaided Recognized Private Schools has to respect it, so long as it stands. The attitude of the DoE in continuously issuing Circulars threatening recognized unaided schools with action in the event of their increasing their fees without obtaining prior approval of the DoE is objectionable, and cannot be allowed.”
The High Court said that the schools cannot be driven to litigation like this and the law is clear that no prior approval is required before an unaided recognised school increases in its fees, even if situated on land to which a “land clause” applies.
The Court passed the order on a plea filed by Action Committee Unaided Recognised Schools, a body of private schools.
It also issued notices to the DoE and directed it to file a counter affidavit in four weeks. The matter will be heard next on July 31.
Advocates Kamal Gupta, Tripti Gupta, Sparsh Aggarwal, Karan Chaudhary, Yosha Dutt, SL Bansal and Nikhil Kukreja appeared for the petitioner.
Searing heat has been cited by political analysts as one of the reasons for low voter turnout in the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections that began on April 19, with results due on June 4.
Heatwave grips major parts of the country. Representative image. Credit: PTI File Photo
Eastern India experienced its hottest April on record as heatwaves scorched parts of the country amid the Lok Sabha elections, killing at least nine people, with the weather office on Wednesday forecasting above normal temperatures for May too.
Searing heat has been cited by political analysts as one of the reasons for low voter turnout in the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections that began on April 19, with results due on June 4.
Heatwave conditions are, however, forecast to abate gradually in the coming days.
The mean temperature in eastern India was 28.12 degrees Celsius in April, the warmest since records began in 1901, with experts blaming a combination of factors.
“In an El Nino year, you get more heating,” said Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, chief of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), referring to a climate pattern that typically leads to hot and dry weather in Asia and heavier rains in parts of the Americas.
He said fewer thunderstorms and an anti-cyclonic circulation near the southeastern coast were causing heatwaves. “Wind blows from land towards the sea during an anti-cyclone.., so land becomes warmer and temperature rises”.
In April, West Bengal recorded the most number of heatwave days for the month in the last 15 years, followed by neighbouring Odisha where heat conditions were the worst in nine years.
Authorities have also declared a rare heatwave in Kerala, where at least 2 deaths have been recorded due to soaring temperatures.
Central and northwestern parts of the country, which includes major wheat producing states that typically witness heatwaves this time of the year, have been largely spared due to intermittent thundershowers last month, Mohapatra said.
The weather office said rainfall in May is likely to be normal and that it expects more showers during the second half of the monsoon season in August and September as compared to June and July due to the La Nina climate pattern, which typically brings higher rainfall.
A case has been filed under the Indian Penal Code sections, including that of cheating, as well as the Information Technology Act. The man has shared the contact details, email addresses and beneficiary accounts used by the scammers with the police.
Mumbai: 26-Year-Old Data Engineer Loses ₹29.5 Lakh In Online Dating Fraud | Representational photo
A 26-year-old data engineer lost Rs29.57 lakh to the cons who fleeced him on the pretext of helping him with online dating. In his police complaint lodged last week, the Andheri resident said that it all started on January 10 when he was surfing the internet for information related to dating.
During the search, he came across a phone number and dialled it. The call was answered by a woman, who told the complainant that she works for a dating company, which recommends high society people for dating. When the man inquired about charges, he was asked to pay at different stages for registration, profile selection, privacy and legal agreement.
After he accepted the deal, the fraudster shared the contact of another ‘colleague’, saying that she would assist him further. The latter then shared some profiles of women with the man, who liked one of the potential ‘dates’ and they even spoke with each other for a while. Between January 10 and March 2, the complainant paid Rs29.57 lakh in different accounts shared by the scammers. He only sensed the fraud after they abruptly stopped responding to his calls.
The judge ordered arguments on framing of charges in the matter will be done on May 31. Earlier this year, court allowed NewsClick HR Head Amit Chakravarty to turn approver in the case.
NewsClick founder and Editor-in-Chief Prabir Purkayastha. (File photo)
Delhi court on Tuesday took cognisance a charge sheet against NewsClick’s Prabir Purkayastha, founder and Editor-in-Chief, under UAPA, alleging the news portal received funds for pro-China content. The Additional Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur found sufficient evidence, ordering the prosecution to provide copy of the charge sheet to Purkayastha.
The judge ordered arguments on framing of charges in the matter will be done on May 31. Earlier this year, court allowed NewsClick HR Head Amit Chakravarty to turn approver in the case.
The judge had pardoned Chakravarty, arrested in the case, on his application that claimed he had material information which he was willing to disclose to Delhi police, which is investigating the matter.
The Special Cell of Delhi Police had arrested Chakravarty and Purkayastha on October 3 last year. They are currently in judicial custody.
According to the FIR, a large amount of funds to the news portal allegedly came from China to “disrupt the sovereignty of India” and cause disaffection against the country.
It also alleged Purkayastha conspired with a group — People’s Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS) — to sabotage the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
Raids were conducted at 88 locations in Delhi and seven in other states on October 3 against the suspects named in the FIR and those that surfaced in the analysis of data, police said.
Around 300 electronic gadgets were also seized from the offices of NewsClick and the residences of the journalists who were examined.
Following the raids, 46 individuals, including nine female journalists, were questioned by the Special Cell.
Heavy rain and landslides have hit several hilly districts including Doda, Reasi, Kishtwar, Ramban and Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir.
Five people have died and several have been injured in landslides and flash floods in Jammu and Kashmir. Several homes have been damaged and hundreds of residents have been affected.
Heavy rain and landslides have hit several hilly districts including Doda, Reasi, Kishtwar, and Ramban and Baramulla. Srinagar-Jammu national highway has been closed for the last three days due to landslides at multiple places along the road.
In Kupwara, the situation has started to improve, with the water level receding and people returning to their damaged homes. As seen in the visuals from yesterday, a section of the road has washed away due to flash floods and several houses flooded in knee-deep water. A portion of a house facing the river has been washed off. Yesterday, officials issued a danger warning has been issued for Pohru Nallah in Kupwara.
#WATCH | Roads and buildings damaged in flash floods in J&K’s Kupwara due to sudden heavy rains in the area pic.twitter.com/wRjcXQoa1Y
Schools in Delhi get bomb threat, police searching premises.
Security personnel outside DPS Dwarka in Sector 3 after a bomb threat call received on Wednesday morning.(HT photo/Vipin Kumar)
At least four schools in different parts of Delhi received emails threatening a bomb attack on Wednesday morning. As a precaution, the schools are being evacuated, and the Delhi Police are conducting a thorough search of the premises, officials said.
A bomb detection unit, bomb disposal team, and team from the Delhi Fire Service have been mobilised to the schools, where they are conducting a search operation.
“Information was received regarding a bomb in Delhi Public School, Dwarka. Delhi Police, Bomb Disposal Squad and fire tenders have arrived on the spot. Search is underway,” Delhi Police said in a statement.
Officials confirmed Mayur Vihar’s Mother Mary’s, Amity Saket and Sanskriti schools also received similar threats.
“An email regarding a bomb threat was received this morning at Mother Mary’s School, East Delhi Mayur Vihar. The school is being evacuated, and the premises are being thoroughly checked,” police said.
Manipur Police said a column of the Army’s Mahar Regiment had intercepted and detained the armed miscreants dressed in police fatigues.
‘Meira Paibis’ – a civilian group of Meitei women – gathered at the spot in Manipur’s Bishnupur district and demanded that the weapons be handed over to them.
A large group of women-led protesters confronted the Indian Army and forcefully released 11 miscreants after they were detained with arms and ammunition in Manipur’s Bishnupur district on Tuesday, police said.
In a statement, the Manipur Police said, during patrolling, a column of the Mahar Regiment of the Indian Army intercepted and detained the armed miscreants dressed in police fatigues. News agency PTI, citing unnamed officials, reported that the army was patrolling in the Kumbi area when they intercepted two SUVs.
“On seeing the Army personnel, the occupants of the two vehicles fled, leaving behind their arms,” PTI quoted an official as saying.
The Manipur Police said the soldiers of the Mahar Regiment seized three AK rifles (7 magazines and 210 ammunition), five INSAS (13 magazines and 260 ammunition), two SLR (9 magazines and 180 ammunition, two hand grenades and bulletproof jackets and other items from the miscreants’ possession and took them into their custody.
However, a while later, ‘Meira Paibis’ – a civilian group of Meitei women – gathered at the spot and demanded that the weapons be handed over to them.
“A group of womenfolk started gathering and blocked the road so as to prevent the movement of security forces. On being informed by the Army about the developing situation, District Police rushed to the spot. On reaching, it was informed by the army personnel that the 11 persons have been snatched by the womenfolk during aggressive confrontation with them despite their best efforts,” the Manipur Police said in the statement issued on social media platform X (formally Twitter).
“Displaying dogged determination and intent, teams of both Manipur Police and the Indian Army were successful in breaking through a number of obstacles/ barriers created by hostile sympathizers and reach out to the the teams at Kumbi PS. The recovered weapons and ammunitions were kept in safe custody. The mob was later dispersed and the situation was brought under control. Necessary legal action is being taken up,” it added.
Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha. (File Image: PTI)
Sharing a major update on Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha, party leader and Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said that he is in the United Kingdom for an eye surgery.
Bharadwaj told news agency ANI that there was some complication in his eyes. “…I was told that it was quite critical that he might have lost his eyesight as well,” he added.
Bharadwaj further said, “He has gone there to get treatment. I have my best wishes with him. He will be back soon in good health and will join the campaign (for Lok Sabha polls).”
Despite being physically absent from the field, Chadha has been active on social media, giving response and comments on the political happenings and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest.
Following the AAP national convenor’s arrest, Chadha had also posted a video saying that “You will arrest Kejriwal’s body, but you will not be able to arrest his thoughts.”
He had also joined the AAP’s display picture (DP) campaign and put ‘Kejriwal behind bars’ as his profile picture.
Recently, amid Kejriwal’s insulin row, Chadha again had posted on X, saying “Arvind Kejriwal has been a diabetic patient for many years. Kejriwal is on 54 units of insulin every day. It is being said that the administration in the jail is not giving him insulin.”
“This is extremely inhumane and against prison rules,” he added.
On April 28, the Delhi CM’s wife, Sunita Kejriwal, took the reigns to campaign for the AAP in the absence of the party chief. In her first-ever in the national capital, Sunita held a road show in the East Delhi constituency.
A bench comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and Augustine George Masih observed that while registration of a Hindu marriage under Section 8 of the Hindu Marriage Act facilitates proof of the marriage, it does not confer legitimacy if the marriage was not solemnised according to Section 7 of the Act, which specifies the requirements for a valid Hindu marriage ceremony.
The Court also underscored the sacred character of Hindu marriage, calling it a sacrament
The Supreme Court (SC) in a judgement clarified the legal requirements and sanctity of Hindu marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act 1955. The Court emphasised that for a Hindu marriage to be valid, it must be performed with the appropriate rites and ceremonies, such as saptapadi (seven steps around the sacred fire) if included, and proof of these ceremonies is essential in case of disputes.
Justice B V Nagaratna led bench said that a Hindu Marriage is sacrament, not an event for “song-dance”, “wining-dining”.
“A Hindu marriage is a samskara and a sacrament which has to be accorded its status as an institution of great value in Indian society. Therefore, we urge young men and women to think deeply about the institution of marriage even before they enter upon it and as to how sacred the said institution is, in Indian society. Marriage is not an event for ‘song and dance’ and ‘wining and dining’ or an occasion to demand and exchange dowry and gifts by undue pressure leading to possible initiation of criminal proceedings thereafter,” the court .
It added, “A marriage is not a commercial transaction. It is a solemn foundational event celebrated so as to establish a relationship between a man and a woman who acquire the status of a husband and wife for an evolving family in future which is a basic unit of Indian society.
A bench comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and Augustine George Masih observed that while registration of a Hindu marriage under Section 8 of the Hindu Marriage Act facilitates proof of the marriage, it does not confer legitimacy if the marriage was not solemnised according to Section 7 of the Act, which specifies the requirements for a valid Hindu marriage ceremony.
“If there has been no marriage in accordance with Section 7, the registration would not confer legitimacy to the marriage. We find that the registration of Hindu marriages under the said provision is only to facilitate the proof of a Hindu marriage but for that, there has to be a Hindu marriage in accordance with Section 7 of the Act inasmuch as there must be a marriage ceremony which has taken place between the parties in accordance with the said provision. Although the parties may have complied with the requisite conditions for a valid Hindu marriage as per Section 5 of the Act in the absence of there being a “Hindu marriage” in accordance with Section 7 of the Act, i.e., solemnization of such a marriage, there would be no Hindu marriage in the eye of law.”
The Court also underscored the sacred character of Hindu marriage, calling it a sacrament and the foundation of a new family, based on mutual respect and partnership between spouses.
The body of a 20-year-old medical aspirant was found hanging from the ceiling fan in his room in Kota.
The medical aspirant was preparing for his third attempt at Neet. (Representative Image)
A 20-year-old medical aspirant was found hanging in his room just days before his third attempt at cracking the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) exam. A note found at the scene read: “Sorry papa, I couldn’t do it this year as well”.
The student, identified as Bharat Kumar Rajput, was from Rajasthan. He was found hanging from the ceiling fan on Tuesday morning. This is the second suspected suicide case in Kota in the past 48 hours.
Rajput had previously attempted the NEET exam twice and was set to appear for the third time on May 5.
He was staying as a paying guest in the Rajiv Gandhi Nagar area and was preparing for the medical entrance exam for the past year. His nephew, Rohit, shared the room with him and was also preparing for Neet exams, police said.
Around 10.30 am on Tuesday, Rohit briefly left the room. He discovered his uncle’s lifeless body after he returned.
At around 11.15 am, when Rohit returned, he found the room was closed from the inside, so he peeped through a window and saw Bharat hanging from the ceiling fan with a bedsheet, Jawahar Nagar Sub Inspector Gopal Singh was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
The police recovered a note from the room, saying ‘Sorry Papa, main is saal bhi nahi kar paya’ (Sorry papa, I couldn’t do it this year as well).
According to the police, preliminary investigations suggest the pressure of underperformance in his third attempt may have pushed Rajput to take such a drastic step.
The body has been moved to the mortuary of MBS Hospital for post-mortem.
BharatPe co-founder, Bhavik Koladiya had moved the High Court arguing that he transferred his shares to Ashneer Grover in December 2022 but that Grover never paid him for the same.
Bhavik Koladiya, Ashneer Grover
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday restrained former managing director of BharatPe, Ashneer Grover from selling or creating any third parties rights on the shares transferred to him by co-founder Bhavik Koladiya.
Bhavik Koladiya had moved the High Court arguing that he transferred these shares to Ashneer Grover in December 2022 but that Grover never paid him for the same.
Justice Prateek Jalan today allowed an interim relief application filed by Koladiya and said that the interim order will remain in force till the Court decides on Koladiya’s case against Grover.
Justice Prateek Jalan
After pronouncing the order, Justice Jalan complimented Grover’s counsel advocate Giriraj Subramanium.
“I must complimented you on the presentation of the case, even though you could not ultimately prevail,” Justice Jalan said.
Bhavik Koladiya has submitted that he had agreed to transfer 1,611 of his 2,900 shares (which are now 16,110 shares) to Grover by way of an agreement dated December 3, 2022. The consideration for the transfer of the 1,611 shares was approximately ₹88 lakhs.
He claimed that till date, Grover has not paid the share purchase consideration.
Koladiya founded the fintech firm in 2017 with Shashvat Nakrani. In 2018, they started looking for a chief executive, after which Grover came on board.
According to a news report in The Economic Times, Koladiya (the largest shareholder in the company) had to leave the company, allegedly because his past conviction in the United States in a credit card fraud case was hindering talks with investors.
The same ET report said that when he resigned, Koladiya transferred his shares to Grover, Nakrani and one Mansukhbhai Mohanbhai Nakrani, as well as some other early-stage and angel investors.
It was argued before the Court that between February and early March 2022, Grover started claiming property in the 16,110 shares by publicly proclaiming himself to be the single largest shareholder of BharatPe.
Koladiya said that Grover refused to return his shares when requested, prompting him to move the High Court for relief.
Meanwhile, Grover has denied the allegations and said that the agreement referred to by Koladiya’s counsel was forged and fabricated.
The Court also questioned the agency on the time gap between initiation of proceedings and the action of arrest of the Delhi CM.
Arvind kejriwal, ED and SCArvind kejriwal (FB)
The Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on the timing of the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
A Bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta posed the following questions to the ED, to be answered on the next date of hearing on Friday:
Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta with Supreme Court
1. Without there being adjudicatory proceeding, can you have criminal proceedings initiated in terms of what has been held in Pankaj Bansal v Union of India and Vijay Madanlal v. Union of India…there are no proceedings of attachment in this case so far, and if there are, then show how the petitioner is involved.
2. As far as the Manish Sisodia case is concerned, there are findings in favour and against…tell us where does the Kejriwal case lie then?
3. They think threshold of Section 19 of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which casts onus on prosecution and not on accused is fairly high and thus asking for regular bail does not happen as they are confronted with Section 45 and onus shifts on them. So how do we interpret it? Do we make the threshold much higher and ensure that standard is same to find the person who is guilty?
4. Then the time gap between initiation of proceedings and then the action of arrest etc…if you see Section 8, there is a limit of 365 days..though we are in bail matter…See other option is to not arrest…life and liberty is important.
5. Then the timing of arrest which is just before the general elections.
In Vijay Madanlal, the Court had upheld the provisions of the PMLA. However, that judgment is under review. Section 19 of the PMLA gives ED officers the power to arrest persons if there is “reason to believe” that an offence has been committed. Section 45 contains the grounds for granting bail in PMLA offences.
In Pankaj Bansal, the Court held that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) must supply in writing the grounds of arrest to persons accused under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The Court was told on Tuesday that there was no proof of Kejriwal’s direct involvement in the Delhi Excise Policy case being probed by the ED.
“No trace of proceeds of crime and lack of proof of direct involvement…Possession of even unaccounted property acquired by legal means will not constitute proceeds of crime,” Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Kejriwal, said.
Singhvi drew the Court’s attention to the statements of Magunta Reddy, on the basis of which the Delhi CM was arrested.
“Please see the chart…the questions to Mr Magunta Reddy…it was asked when did he meet Kejriwal…it was stated he met for 5-6 minutes to discuss charity work and not the policy in question.”
He added that Magunta Reddy gave the statement five months after his son Raghav Reddy was arrested, and once the former turned approver, ED did not object to the latter getting bail.
“On September 16, no allegation against Arvind Kejriwal. Raghav says he does not know and then after 5 months he is arrested and then he makes the 4 statements…this happens after arrest and he gives the incriminating statement against kejriwal….he made 8 statements in total. No allegation (against Kejriwal) in six statements…then last two has allegations…this is a new technique of statement after arrest…then raghav gets absolute bail.”
He also pointed out how Raghav Reddy joined the Telugu Desam Party, an ally of the BJP, after he was released.
After going through the statements of another approver, Sarath Reddy, Singhvi argued,
“This is creating higher threshold of Section 45 (which provides for bail conditions under PMLA) and reading it into the predicate offence.”
The Court then told Additional Solicitor General SV Raju appearing for the ED,
“Yes, Mr Raju, we will ask you this. This was not arising in Sanjay Singh case, but here we will ask you.”
Singhvi then pointed out that AAP communications in-charge Vijay Nair was arrested in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case in November 2022, and questioned why Kejriwal was arrested only in March 2024.
Concluding his arguments, Singhvi said that Section 50 of the PMLA, which gives the power to ED officers in respect of summons, documents and evidence, does not apply to this case. Justice Khanna observed,
“There is a discussion on “reasons to believe” in Vijay Madanlal…contours of Section 19 PMLA is discussed.”
The judge went on to pose the question,
“What I am saying is that there has to be attachment, then offence, and result of prosecution resulting in final consequence…and if you read this (para 324 of Vijay Madanlal judgment) then it appears that this was the scheme and there were direct observations regarding Section 19 PMLA…”
Towards the end of the hearing, Justice Khanna remarked,
“Initially the thought did come whether I should hear this case because I had decided the Manish Sisodia matter. But then it would be said that I am not taking difficult cases or something…”
Kejriwal had challenged his arrest and remand before the Supreme Court after the Delhi High Court dismissed his plea in the matter.
The ED’s money laundering probe against Kejriwal stems from a case registered by the CBI on August 17, 2022 in connection with alleged irregularities in the Delhi Excise Policy for 2021-22.
The CBI case was registered on a complaint made by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on July 20, 2022.
It has been alleged that a criminal conspiracy was hatched by AAP leaders, including Kejriwal, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and others.
Modi also claimed that the I.N.D.I.A. bloc has come up with a ‘formula’ whereby the parties in the Opposition alliance will get the PM’s post for one year each if they come to power.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public meeting for Lok Sabha elections, in Maharashtra, Tuesday on April 30, 2024. Credit: PTI Photo
Latur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that unlike the practice during Congress regime of sending dossiers to Pakistan after the Mumbai terror attacks, the BJP-led government hits terrorists on their home turf.
“During the Congress regime, the news headlines were about India handing over another dossier to Pakistan about terror activities.
“It used to be big news. Some of our friends in the media used to clap after any such dossier was sent,” Modi said at an election rally in Maharashtra’s Latur.
“Today, India doesn’t send dossiers. Aaj Bharat ghar mein ghus ke marta hai (Today, India kills terrorists on their home turf),” Modi said. “The headlines in Naya Bharat are: Mission LOC, India punishes Pakistan through surgical strikes,” Modi said.
Modi also claimed that the I.N.D.I.A. bloc has come up with a “formula” whereby the parties in the opposition alliance will get the PM’s post for one year each if they come to power.”
With such a system, the good of the country cannot be expected, Modi said.
“Some people want to make the PM in instalments. They hey have decided to have a PM each year,” he said.
Modi said Congress destroyed India’s economy during its regime.
Targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Modi said, “When I speak of ‘EK Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’, the Prince of Congress suffers from fever”. “Those who looted the country are behind bars. Those who looted the country will have to pay back. And this is Modi’s guarantee,” he said.
“The people of our country have always been hardworking and talented, but the Congress party committed the sin of crushing their dreams,” he said.
The Congress thought about only one family, but Modi thinks about every family of Bharat, he said.
“In 2014 and 2019, you gave us a huge mandate. We utilised it not to snatch anything from anyone, but to provide benefits and ensure welfare. Ours is a government that truly gives strength to social justice,” Modi said.
There are many small-time politicians who have by chance become one-time MLAs. All parties have already declared their candidates, how can any party change their candidates once they have been announced?
Arvinder Singh Lovely, Arvinder Singh Lovely interview, DPCC president, Arvinder Singh Lovely resignation, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee, delhi AAP BJP alliance, AAPs Sanjay Singh, alliance in Delhi, delhi news, indian express newsArvinder Singh Lovely had resigned from the post of the DPCC President on Sunday. (Express Photo by Abhinav Saha)
On Sunday, Congress’s Arvinder Singh Lovely resigned from the post of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee President citing unease with the alliance between his party and the AAP. Saman Husain speaks to him about the reasons behind his departure, the alliance with AAP, and his next steps
If he thinks that the alliance was formed due to my initiatives, then he must consider me to be a really big leader, so much so that they didn’t listen to Sonia ji or Rahul ji but ended up being part of the alliance because of me. Do you think that I will be the one to take the alliance forward and then not keep a Lok Sabha seat for myself? The INDIA bloc was formed in April, back when the first meeting took place in Patna. I was not president of DPCC at that point of time. The second meeting took place in Bengaluru, and I was still not the president at that point in time. The third meeting took place in Mumbai and I was still not president of DPCC. I became the president on September 1, and right after that Sanjay Singh was imprisoned. Then how does he know that the alliance was formed because of me?
This feeling against the alliance is rooted in the fact that Ajay Maken did a press conference on Kejriwal’s ‘Sheesh Mahal’… the DPCC president before me, Anil Chaudhary, had registered an FIR against (Kejriwal), Sandeep Dikshit had openly opposed the alliance — even though I never openly criticised it, these facts are not hidden from anyone… Nonetheless, the high command made a decision to go forward with the alliance so I tried my best to ensure the whole party fell in line. On the night when Kejriwal was arrested, I visited his house, and I also took Sandeep Dikshit and Subhash Chopra along with me due to the high command’s directions. Do you think Sandeep Dikshit, against whose mother the AAP had been putting allegations, would visit Kejriwal’s house had there not been any pressure from the high command? There, I said that I was against the timing of the arrest; we never gave them a clean chit.
Which old party leaders would have been a better fit for the Lok Sabha candidature as opposed to Udit Raj and Kanhaiya Kumar?
I do not want to comment on this because right now this is not the issue. I will also go into the merits of candidates someday but currently the issue is, and my only grudge, is that when you’re announcing candidates, you should at least informally inform the DPCC about your final decision. Just as everybody else got to know about the final candidates through the media, so did I. Despite being DPCC president, I was not informed; there is a basic dignity that should be maintained.
The Court said that the fundamental rights of young children to receive textbooks cannot be trampled upon merely because the Chief Minister is not available.
Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi High Court
Arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal cannot be ground for non-distribution of school textbooks to students, the Delhi High Court said on Monday while allowing the Commissioner of Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to incur the expenses required for the same [Social Jurist v Government of NCT of Delhi & Ors].
A Division Bench of Acting Chief Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora said that fundamental rights of young children cannot be trampled upon merely because the Chief Minister is not available.
“Consequently, this Court is of the view that non-availability of Chief Minister or non-formation of a Standing Committee or disputes pertaining to appointment of an aldermen by the Hon’ble LG or non-delivery of judgment by a competent Court or non-compliance of certain provisions of Delhi Municipal Corporation Act cannot come in the way of the school-going children receiving their free text books, writing material and uniform forthwith,” the Court said.
Hence, it proceeded to direct the following:
“Consequently, as the students of MCD schools are entitled for free text books, writing material and uniform in accordance with their Constitutional and statutory rights, and the schools are going to close for summer vacations shortly, this Court directs the Commissioner, MCD to incur the expenditure required for fulfilling the said obligations forthwith without being constrained by the expenditure limit of Rs. Five crores. However, the expenditure incurred by the Commissioner, MCD shall be subject to statutory audit.”
The Delhi government had earlier told the Court that the standing committee of MCD is empowered to take decision as regards the finances of the MCD but the constitution of standing committee is under dispute which is pending before the Supreme Court.
It had further stated that regarding the delegation of such powers regarding finance to the MCD Commissioner, the Chief Minister’s approval would be required and since the Delhi CM is lodged in jail in a money laundering case, the same is yet to be obtained.
The Court, however, took strong objection to the argument, stating that it is against national interest, if a Chief Minister remains absent for so long.
“It amounts to an admission that the Delhi Government, due to absence of the Chief Minister is at a standstill. A Chief Minister’s post in any State, leave alone a buzzing capital city like Delhi is not a ceremonial post. It is a post where the office holder (when in office) has to be virtually available 24 x 7 to deal with any crisis or natural disaster like flooding, fire, disease etc. National interest and public interest demands that no person who holds this post is incommunicado or absent for a long stretch of time or for an uncertain period time,” the Court said.
The order was passed in a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed by an organisation named Social Jurist
The plea stated that the students studying in MCD schools have not received textbooks and were studying in tin sheds because of the logjam in the civic body.
During one of the earlier hearings in the case, the MCD Commissioner had joined the proceedings and informed the Bench that nearly two lakh students do not have any bank account, uniform and, therefore, stationery reimbursement has not been made to these students.
He had stated that one of the major reasons for non-distribution of notebooks, stationery items, uniforms and school bags is ‘non-formation of Standing Committees’ and that only Standing Committee has the power and jurisdiction to award contracts worth more than ₹5 crores.
The Court had then observed that there cannot be a vacuum and if the Standing Committee is not available for any reason, the financial power needs to be delegated to an appropriate authority by the Delhi government.
The High Court had castigated the AAP government for its failure to provide textbooks to students.
The Bench had remarked that Delhi government is only interested in appropriation of power and is putting personal interests over national interest.
The Court had remarked that it arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal cannot be an excuse to create vacuum in the governance and that it is “the personal call of the Chief Minister that he wants the government to be paralysed”.
It had also commented on the conduct of Urban Development Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj and said that he has turned a blind eye to the plight of students and is shedding crocodile tears.
Actor and fitness influencer Sahil Khan was arrested by Mumbai police in connection with the Mahadev betting app case after a 40-hour-long chase across five states.
Sahil Khan was arrested by Mumbai Police on Sunday. (Photo: Sahil Khan/Facebook)
The Mumbai police arrested actor and influencer Sahil Khan on Sunday in connection with the Mahadev betting app case. He was arrested from a hotel in Chhattisgarh’s Jagdalpur and was brought to Mumbai. He has been remanded to police custody until May 1.
The 47-year-old was caught by the police after over a forty-hour-long chase as Khan kept changing his locations to evade arrest. He also switched off his mobile phone at times, making it difficult for the officials to trace him.
The Mumbai Police are probing an approximately Rs 15,000 crore scam linked to the illegal Mahadev betting app, a platform which is being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate for money laundering and hawala transactions.
Sahil Khan, also a fitness entrepreneur, and his driver fled Mumbai on April 25 when a court rejected his anticipatory bail plea in the case. His first stop was in Goa, where he spent a few hours before heading to Karnataka. Meanwhile, investigators learn that he had fled from Mumbai and wasn’t answering calls.
In Karnataka, as per officials, he spent another few hours, rested for a while, and then headed to Hyderabad. He booked a room there, and when not required, he switched off his mobile phone. However, investigators from Mumbai Crime managed to get details of the driver and his location through his cell phone too.
Suspecting that police officials were closing in, Khan then asked the driver to proceed towards the Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra border, passing through the Gadchiroli district and heading to Naxal-hit regions.
When the driver refused to drive at night in the heavily dense forested area where Naxal presence is suspected, Khan forced him to keep moving.
Eventually, they halted at Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh and booked a room at a private hotel, from where the police officials picked him up, ending almost an 1800-kilometre chase.
Khan wore masks and towers throughout the journey to cover his face to avoid getting identified, police officials added.
WHAT WAS SAHIL KHAN’S ROLE?
Sahil Khan, known for films like ‘Style’ and ‘Excuse Me’, is accused of promoting applications like The Lion Book app, an app linked to the Mahadev betting network, on social media. He even attended events in the UAE related to the app launch and celebration parties.
Seeing the huge profits in the betting network run illegally from UAE, Khan also became a partner in one of the betting apps named Lotus 24/7, which provided a similar illegal online platform for betting, resulting in illegal profits.
Prachi Nigam, from UP’s Sitapur, topped her class 10 exams by scoring 98.5%. Some people criticized her facial hair, however, others showed support for the teenager and congratulated her on her performance in the board examination.
Priyanka Gandhi’s words turned out to be the biggest support for his daughter who was targeted by the cyberbullies, said Prachi Nigam’s father, Chandra Prakash Nigam (File Photo)
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress General Secretary came out in support of the UP’s Class 10 Board Exam topper who was trolled mercilessly by the netizens for her facial hair and told ‘not to get disheartened by the trollers as it’s not the appearances but marks that matters’. Other than the Congress leader, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Supremo Mayawati’s nephew and BSP’s National Secretary Akash Anand too extended support to the trollers.
The development came after Prachi Nigam, from Sitapur, who topped her class 10 exams faced social media trolling for her facial hair post-results. Despite scoring 98.5%, Nigam was subjected to cyberbullying and body shaming. Nigam’s academic achievement, which should have been celebrated, yet she endured unnecessary criticism based on her appearance.
However, in such a tough time, Prachi said a call from Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi, turned out to be a morale booster for her. “I am thankful to Priyanka Didi for supporting me in the tough times,” said Prachi Nigam, UP’s class 10 topper.
Prachi Nigam’s father Chandra Prakash Nigam, who is a contractor by profession said the Congress leader called him on Saturday evening and told him to boost up his morale of Prachi and not to get upset by the trollers as it’s only the marks that matter. “She also congratulated me for my daughter’s achievement,” he told News18.
He said Priyanka Gandhi’s words turned out to be the biggest support for his daughter who was targeted by the cyberbullies. Besides, Prachi’s father also thanked BSP Supremo Mayawati’s nephew Akash Anand who too extended his support to Prachi. BSP National Coordinator Akash Anand’s post on his ‘X’ account reads, ‘Prachi sister, first of all I heartily congratulate you for topping the Uttar Pradesh Board. On one hand, where the sisters and daughters of the country are making their name and standing on their own feet, it is very sad to see the petty mentality of some people in the society. Prachi, listening to you in this interview has brought tears to my eyes and I am also angry at these vile people. But Prachi, the way you faced them and emerged as a winner, I salute you.”
Anand’s post further reads “Prachi, your talent can never be suppressed by people with negative thinking. I heartily wish you a bright future with many good wishes.”
Prachi was targeted after her photo went viral on social media. The trollers bullied Prachi to the extent that in a statement she said that she wished that she hadn’t topped the exam if she knew that she would be judged by her appearances and not by her achievements.
But later on, Prachi handled the trollers like a pro, stating that those who feel weird about her facial hair can continue trolling as it doesn’t make a difference to her now.
The Food Safety and Drug Administration Department officials have collected samples from an outlet of McDonald’s in Noida’s Sector 18 and Theobroma bakery in Sector 104.
Complaints were lodged with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (Representational)
The Food Safety and Drug Administration Department (FDA) officials collected samples from an outlet of McDonald’s in Noida Sector 18 and Theobroma bakery in Sector 104 following a complaint by a consumer who fell sick allegedly after consuming food items from these outlets, officials said on Monday.
The complaints were lodged with the Food Safety Connect portal of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), officials said.
According to officials, the complaint against the McDonald’s outlet in Noida Sector 18 is that a consumer fell sick after consuming a burger and french fries from the outlet.
Following the complaint, a team of the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA), Gautam Buddh Nagar, immediately took action and visited McDonald’s at Noida Sector 18 to collect the samples.
“We got a complaint on the portal against McDonald’s. The customer fell ill after consuming aloo tikki and french fries. We have taken action in this regard and taken samples of palm oil, cheese, and mayonnaise…,” said Archana Dheeran, Assistant Commissioner (Food) FDA, Gautam Buddh Nagar.
In the second incident, a woman fell sick after consuming a stale cake ordered from Theobroma bakery in Noida Sector 104. Following the complaint, an FDA team collected samples of the cake after receiving the complaint.
“In another case, a complaint came against Theobroma bakery where someone fell ill (in Noida) after consuming stale cake from the bakery…We took a sample of the pineapple cake and sent it to the laboratory…If the product fails in the report, then a case will be registered,” Dheeran said.
Amrita Pandey had shared a cryptic note on her WhatsApp status a few hours before her death. In 2022, she got married to Chandramani Jhangad, a resident of Bilaspur, Chattisgarh.
Bhojpuri actress Amrita Pandey passed away in Bihar on April 27.
Bhojpuri actress Amrita Pandey was found dead at her apartment in Bihar on April 27. According to multiple media reports, Amrita had shared a cryptic note on her WhatsApp status a few hours before her death. “Do naav me savaar thi uski zindagi, humne apni naav duba ke uska safar aasaan kar diya (Their life was on two boats, we made their path easier by sinking our boat),” read her alleged post.
Amrita’s family has claimed that she was worried about her career as she wasn’t getting enough work opportunities, according to a report in Times of India.com. Amrita was also reportedly battling depression.
In 2022, she had tied the knot with Chandramani Jhangad, a Mumbai-based resident originally from Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, who works as an animation engineer. Amrita was last seen in web series ‘Pratishodh’. She had also worked with Bhojpuri superstar Khesari Lal Yadav in the film ‘Deewanapan’.
The Jogsar Police received the news of a woman’s alleged suicide at the Divyadharma Apartment in Adampur Ship Ghat on April 27. Upon arrival and entry into the premises, they discovered the body of actress Amrita Pandey lying on the bed. According to statements from family members quoted by TOI, Amrita’s sister entered her room around 3:30 pm and found the actress hanging from a noose. Efforts were made to save her, and Amrita was rushed to the nearest hospital, but she was declared dead on arrival. The Jogsar police station is currently investigating her death.
The email was sent to many airports, including Bhopal. Security was immediately strengthened at the airport and intensive checks were conducted.
Bhopal’s Raja Bhoj Airport received a bomb threat
Security has been beefed up at the Bhopal Airport after a bomb threat was received via email, threatening that three bombs were planted to explode within a few hours at city’s Raja Bhoj Airport.
The email was sent to many airports, including Bhopal. Security was immediately strengthened at the airport and intensive checks were conducted. However, nothing was found. A complaint has been filed with the local police station.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP, Zone 4) Sundar Singh Kanesh told ANI over the phone, “The Airport Authority has lodged a complaint stating they received a bomb threat email threatening to explode the airport. The email mentioned a bomb has been placed on a plane, posing a threat of an explosion at the airport.”
Goa, Jaipur, Kanpur Airports Receive Bomb Threats
Meanwhile, Dabolim airport in Goa also received a bomb threat via email on Monday, prompting heightened security measures. However, flight operations remained unaffected.
“We received an email. We have alerted our security agencies and airlines. We are taking the necessary action on this. As of now, there is no panic. (Flight) operations are normal. We are doing general additional security checks,” Dabolim Airport Director SVT Dhanamjaya Rao said.
Jaipur and Kanpur airports also received similar bomb threat emails on Monday, following which authorities took measures to enhance security on premises of these airports. Security agencies on Monday jointly conducted a thorough investigation at Jaipur airport after it received a bomb threat.
SHO of Airport police station Moti Lal said an email was sent by an unknown person to the airport authorities threatening a bomb blast.
“The airport was thoroughly checked but nothing suspicious was found,” he said, adding that a similar threat was given on April 26.
Pavan Kunchala Joins the Ranks of LPU Success Stories with a Whopping 1 Crore Package from TC Central. Over 1100+ Students from Batches 22-23 Achieve Remarkable Salary Packages of Rs 10 Lakhs and above.
Lovely Professional University (LPU) continues to break records in the field of higher education with its exceptional placement achievements. The class of 2023 has witnessed phenomenal success, with numerous students securing impressive salary packages. Notably, Yasir M., a student from LPU’s class of 2018, has created history by securing an astounding Rs. 3 crore package in a global IT giant. Another student, Pavan Kunchala, has also received a package of Rs. 1 crore from TC Central, an IT company.
Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that more than 1100 students from the batches of 2022-2023 have received packages of 10 lakhs and above. The outstanding performance of LPU students extends beyond these notable cases. Yashasvi Yaduvanshi, a B Tech Computer Science and Engineering student, has recently been selected by Microsoft with a staggering package of Rs. 52.08 Lakhs. In addition, Mechanical Engineering students achieved the highest CTC of Rs. 54.9 Lakhs, while Architecture and MBA students received packages up to Rs. 31.69 Lakhs and Rs. 29.3 Lakhs, respectively.
The placement season for LPU’s class of 2023-24 has been a resounding success, with the top 10% of students receiving an impressive average package of 12.3 lakhs. These numbers surpass the averages of many top IITs, solidifying LPU’s reputation as a leading institution in talent development. LPU’s nurturing environment and unwavering commitment to its students’ growth have enabled them to excel in the fiercely competitive job market.
The success stories of LPU alumni further testify to the university’s excellence. Graduates from LPU are currently occupying prestigious positions in renowned corporations such as Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, with packages exceeding 1 crore. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the exceptional talent pool produced by LPU. Notably, LPU students have received over 5500 placement offers from esteemed Fortune 500 companies, including Microsoft, Amazon, Cognizant, Accenture, IBM, Samsung, Hewlett Packard, Hitachi, Barclays, Bank of America, and many others. The consistent participation of these companies in LPU’s campus recruitment drives reaffirms the recognition of LPU’s students as valuable assets in the professional world.
Dr. Ashok Mittal, Chancellor of LPU and Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), extends his heartfelt congratulations to the students on their remarkable achievements. He emphasizes LPU’s unwavering commitment to fostering intellectual and interpersonal growth among its students. Dr. Mittal acknowledges the indispensable role played by LPU’s Division of Career Services and dedicated mentors in helping students realize their dreams of commencing their careers with lucrative packages.
Mrs.Rashmi Mittal, Pro Chancellor of LPU added that LPU’s engineering programs have garnered global recognition, securing the 2nd position in India in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023 and the 3rd position in the World’s Universities with Real Impact (WURI)-2023. These prestigious accolades exemplify the university’s dedication to providing a holistic education that equips students with the skills and knowledge required for success in the real world.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau waves to the crowd after speaking during Khalsa day celebrations in Toronto, April 28, 2024. (Photo: Associated Press)
The Centre on Monday summoned the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner to the Ministry of External Affairs after pro-Khalistan slogans were raised at an event attended by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said that the Canadian diplomat was conveyed India’s “deep concern and strong protest” at such “disturbing actions being allowed to continue unchecked at the event”.
“This illustrates once again the political space that has been given in Canada to separatism, extremism and violence. Their continued expressions not only impact India-Canada relations but also encourage a climate of violence and criminality in Canada to the detriment of its own citizens,” the statement read.
On April 28, Sunday, Justin Trudeau attended a Khalsa Day celebration event in Toronto. Videos from the event showed pro-Khalistan slogans being raised as Trudeau began addressing the crowd.
🧵Today, leaders from the Liberal, Conservative, and NDP parties joined the Khalsa parade (Parade of the Pure) in Toronto to appeal to Khalistan voters.
Trudeau was gifted a sword, while Pierre took things a step further than Trudeau by bending the knee, and Jagmeet delivered… pic.twitter.com/RJW9ZNvSYk
In his speech, Trudeau went on to assure the Sikh community that the Canadian government would protect their rights and freedoms at all costs.
“To the nearly 800,000 Canadians of Sikh heritage across this country, we will always be there to protect your rights and your freedoms, and we will always defend your community against hatred and discrimination,” said the Canadian Prime Minister.
Days after the Supreme Court’s rebuke, the Uttarakhand State Licensing Authority informed the court that it had on April 15 issued orders to Divya Pharmacy and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd, suspending the manufacturing licences for 14 of their products with immediate effect.
Supreme Court, Baba Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna and Patanjali logo. Credit: PTI, Wikimedia Commons
Days after the Supreme Court’s rebuke, the Uttarakhand State Licensing Authority informed the court that it had on April 15 issued orders to Divya Pharmacy and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd, suspending the manufacturing licences for 14 of their products with immediate effect.
The action has been taken under Rule 159(1) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, for repeated violations under the said Acts and Rules. The said order was also marked to the Drug Inspector and District Ayurvedic and Unani Officer, Haridwar to ensure strict compliance, it said.
The names of the products are ‘Swasari Gold’, ‘Swasari Vati, Bronchom’, ‘Swasari Pravahi’, ‘Swasari Avaleh’, ‘Mukta Vati Extra Power’, ‘Lipidom’, ‘Bp Grit’, ‘Madhugrit’, ‘Madhunashini Vati Extra Power’, ‘Livamrit Advance’, ‘Livogrit’, ‘Eyegrit Gold’ and ‘Patanjali Drishti Eye Drop’.
An affidavit in this regard was filed by Uttarakhand State Licensing Authority’s Joint Director Mithilesh Kumar. The top court will consider the matter on Tuesday.
On April 16, 2024, the Drug Inspector or District Ayurvedic and Unani Officer, Haridwar, filed a criminal complaint before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Haridwar, against Swami Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna, Divya Pharmacy and Patanjali Ayurved Limited under Sections 3, 4 and 7 of the DMR Act.
Among other actions, the authority said on April 23, 2024, it issued a letter to all Ayurvedic/Unani medicine factories in Uttarakhand on the basis of a communication by the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, and passed multiple directions, including that any Ayurvedic/Unani medicine factory should strictly comply with the Drug and Magic Remedies Act, 1954 and no pharmaceutical factory would claim to be ‘Approved/Certified’ by the Ministry of AYUSH on the label of the product.
The directions also stated advertisements should comply with provisions under Consumer Protection Act, 2019, Cable Television Networks Act, 1995, Emblems and Names Act, 1950; and every pharmaceutical factory shall ensure complete compliance with Rules 161, 161A and 161B of the Drug and Cosmetic Act, 1945 for labeling of their products.
The join director also tendered an unconditional and unqualified apology against any inadvertent and unintentional non-compliance with the orders of the court and assured the bench he would commit no deliberate or wilful act which would disobey any order of the court or undermine its majesty.
He said, he is “completely aware of the gravity of the situation and seriousness of the matter at hand and has always endeavoured to discharge duties to the best of his capacity and in accordance with law”.
Luckily, the pilot of the helicopter regained control of the chopper and managed to take off safely along with the Home Minister inside.
Amit Shah Escapes Major Accident After Helicopter Loses Control While Taking Off In Bihar’s Begusarai | Twitter
Union Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Shah on Monday had a close encounter which could have been a major accident after his helicopter lost control while taking off in Bihar’s Begusarai. The incident was caught on camera, and the video of the incident is circulating on social media. It can be seen in the video that the helicopter of Union Home Minister Amit Shah lost control for some time and was seen moving in the air in another direction.
There are reports that Union Home Minister Amit Shah was inside the chopper when the incident occurred and was safe. Luckily, the pilot of the helicopter regained control of the chopper and managed to take off safely along with the Home Minister inside. A major accident was averted as the pilot realized at the right time that the chopper was going out of control.
चिंताजनक
देश के गृह मंत्री अमित शाह जी के हेलीकॉप्टर ने Take Off करते वक्त कुछ समय के लिए कंट्रोल खो दिया था। pic.twitter.com/iP6mYuz4fT
— Sagar Kumar “Sudarshan News” (@KumaarSaagar) April 29, 2024
Pilot Loses Control Of Chopper
The video of the incident is going viral on social media, and it can be seen in the video that the helicopter is hovering at a very short height above the land. The video shows that the pilot is struggling to gain control of the helicopter while it is moving back and forth before taking off safely. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is busy promoting BJP during the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections 2024. The Home Minister needs to fly from one destination to another due to the ongoing elections.
A woman has filed a police case against Karnataka MP Prajwal Revanna over alleged sexual assault, the police said today. The First Information Report (FIR) has been filed with Holenarasipur police station in Hassan district
A woman has filed a police case against Karnataka MP Prajwal Revanna over alleged sexual assault, the police said today amid a huge row over purported obscene videos. The First Information Report (FIR) has been filed with Holenarasipur police station in Hassan district.
Prajwal Revanna, the Janata Dal (Secular) MP and grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, has denied the allegations and filed a police complaint too, saying the obscene videos in circulation were morphed.
Prajwal Revanna left for Germany yesterday morning.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah yesterday said the state government will form a special investigation team (SIT) to look into the obscene videos case.
The decision to set up the SIT came after the state women’s commission recommended the Siddaramaiah government to take action.
Obscene video clips are circulating in Hassan district, where it appears that women have been sexually assaulted, the Chief Minister said.
In the FIR, the survivor alleged she was sexually abused multiple times between 2019 and 2022. The complaint will be sent to the new SIT. More women are likely to come forward to file cases, sources said.
Prajwal Revanna was the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate in the Hassan Lok Sabha constituency, where voting was held in the second phase on April 26. Janata Dal (Secular), or JD(S), joined the NDA in September last year.
The BJP has distanced itself from Prajwal Revanna amid the controversy around his purported sex tapes.
Sources said that the Tihar Jail administration has cited the visit of Delhi Minister Atishi, who will meet the Chief Minister on Monday.
Sources said jail rules say two people can come to meet a jailed person at a time. : ANI
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s wife Sunita Kejriwal will not be able to meet him in Tihar jail on Monday. The jail authorities have refused permission for the scheduled visit, Mr Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party has claimed.
Sources said that the Tihar Jail administration has cited the visit of Delhi Minister Atishi, who will meet the Chief Minister on Monday.
On Tuesday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is coming to meet him.
Sources said jail rules say two people can come to meet a jailed person at a time.
When Mr Mann went to meet Mr Kejriwal in Tihar Jail on April 15, AAP’s Organisation General Secretary Sandeep Pathak accompanied him.
Sources in Tihar Jail said after the meeting with Atishi and Bhagwant Mann, Sunita Kejriwal could be allowed to meet Mr Kejriwal after Tuesday.
Jail rules, however, say only two visits can be allowed in a week. So if Atishi meets Arvind Kejriwal on Monday and Bhagwant Mann meets him on Tuesday, then no other meeting with Arvind Kejriwal can be held in this week.
It is possible that Sunita Kejriwal will only be allowed to meet him next week.
Mr Kejriwal has been in jail since April 1. He was arrested on March 21 in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case.
His stay in Tihar has been marked by a massive row over his diabetes and medication, with the Chief Minister and his party alleging that the authorities had withheld medication since his arrest. The Enforcement Directorate has alleged that Mr Kejriwal has been eating food that is inappropriate for diabetics.
The Delhi Police registered a case on Sunday after a complaint by the Ministry of Home Affairs in connection with the doctored videos of Union Home Minister Amit Shah being circulated on social media platforms, officials said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Credit: PTI Photo
The Delhi Police registered a case on Sunday after a complaint by the Ministry of Home Affairs in connection with the doctored videos of Union Home Minister Amit Shah being circulated on social media platforms, officials said.
The Special Cell has registered an FIR under various sections of the IPC and relevant provision of the IT Act, they said. Sources in the Special Cell said that now arrests are likely to follow across the country.
According to the complaint filed by Sinku Sharan Singh, DC, Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), some doctored videos are being circulated on social media with ‘the intent of creating disharmony among communities which is likely to affect public tranquility and public order.’ According to the complainant, links from which the videos were shared were also attached for further action.
A copy of the FIR was also sent to the IFSO unit of the Delhi Cyber Police.
The accident took place late Sunday night near Kathia village when the victims were returning after attending a family function, a senior police official said.
Representative image of a road accident. Credit: iStock Photo
Five women and three children were killed and 23 persons injured when a goods vehicle they were travelling in collided with a truck in Chhattisgarh’s Bemetara district, police said on Monday.
The accident took place late Sunday night near Kathia village when the victims were returning after attending a family function, a senior police official said.
The victims, natives of Patharra village, were returning after attending a family function in Tiraiyya village, the official said.
The goods vehicle collided with the mini truck that was parked by the roadside, the official said.
Those killed were identified as Bhuri Nishad (50), Neera Sahu (55), Geeta Sahu (60), Agniya Sahu (60), Khushbu Sahu (39), Madhu Sahu (5), Rikesh Nishad (6) and Twinkle Nishad (6), he said.
The injured persons were admitted to two hospitals. Later, four critically injured persons were shifted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences Raipur, he said.
India sizzled under a scorching sun on Sunday, with over 150 stations of the India Meteorological Department reporting maximum temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Heatwave and severe heatwave conditions were observed in northern, eastern, and southern states.
File Photo: Women cover their faces to protect from heat as they arrive at a polling station to cast their votes during the first phase of the general election, in Bikaner district, Rajasthan, April 19, 2024.
India sizzled under a scorching sun on Sunday, with over 150 stations of the India Meteorological Department reporting maximum temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Heatwave and severe heatwave conditions were observed in northern, eastern, and southern states.
In the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, Nandyal and Kurnool recorded the highest temperatures, surpassing 45 degrees Celsius. Nandyal reached a scorching 45.6 degrees Celsius, followed by Kurnool at 45.2 degrees Celsius.
Blistering heat persisted in Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, while hot and humid conditions prevailed in various parts of interior Karnataka. Raichur and Kalaburgi recorded maximum temperatures of 43 degrees and 42.9 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Across the country, 155 stations of the India Meteorological Department reported maximum temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, with numerous areas in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh experiencing temperatures exceeding 44 degrees Celsius.
“Heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are likely to persist over east and south peninsular India in the next five days. In north-west India, rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms/lightning and gusty winds are likely tomorrow,” said an IMD official.
Amidst soaring temperatures, 94 Lok Sabha seats will vote in the third phase of the seven-phase Parliamentary election. Among the states to vote on May 7 are Gujarat and the remaining seats of Karnataka where the maximum temperature is over 40 degrees Celsius in cities including Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Vadodara, Gadag and Bagalkot.
Heatwave conditions have persisted over Odisha since April 15 and Gangetic West Bengal since April 17. Three stations in Odisha – Baripada, Boudh, and Angul – reported maximum temperatures exceeding 44 degrees Celsius.
The accident took place late Sunday night near Kathia village when the victims were returning after attending a family function.
Five women and three children were killed and 23 persons injured when a goods vehicle they were travelling in collided with a truck in Chhattisgarh’s Bemetara district, police said on Monday.
The accident took place late Sunday night near Kathia village when the victims were returning after attending a family function, a senior police official said.
Victims were returning from a family function
The victims, natives of Patharra village, were returning after attending a family function in Tiraiyya village, the official said.
The goods vehicle collided with the mini truck that was parked by the roadside, the official said.
Victims identified
Those killed were identified as Bhuri Nishad (50), Neera Sahu (55), Geeta Sahu (60), Agniya Sahu (60), Khushbu Sahu (39), Madhu Sahu (5), Rikesh Nishad (6) and Twinkle Nishad (6), he said.
The injured persons were admitted to two hospitals. Later, four critically injured persons were shifted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences Raipur, he said.
The NIA was looking for both Abdul Matheen Taha (30) and Mussavir Hussain Shazib (30) as part of its investigation into Al-Hind module case, the officials said.
The two persons arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the blast at The Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru on March 1, 2024, were wanted since 2020 in another terror case, according to officials.
The NIA was looking for both Abdul Matheen Taha (30) and Mussavir Hussain Shazib (30) as part of its investigation into Al-Hind module case, the officials said. However the duo managed to elude arrest and during their time on the run, they stayed for more than 10 days in Goregaon and Malad, then Ratnagiri, West Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The NIA is now trying to identify those who gave the suspects shelter and financial support.
Details About Al Hind
Al Hind module was formed by Bengaluru-based Mehboob Pasha and Cuddalore-based Khaja Moideen, who recruited several young Muslims in south India, including Taha and Shazib. Karnataka police busted the module in 2020 by arresting the masterminds and their associates, but Taha and Shazib managed to escape and reached Mumbai.
During its investigation, the NIA found that Al-Hind had been in close contact with the Maharashtra terror module of ISIS, which was recently dismantled by the agency. Sources disclosed that Shagaf Divakar, an associate of the alleged Maharashtra module chief Saquib Nachan, was allegedly linked to Shihabudeen, who supplied arms for Al-Hind.
Details About Shihabudeen
Shihabudeen arranged arms and ammunition with the assistance of the Maharashtra terror module in Bhiwandi, ensuring its delivery to Al-Hind module’s courier in Bengaluru.
Shihabudeen has been charged under Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, Section 25 (1)(a) of the Arms Act 1959, and Sections 18, 20, 38, and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967, according to the NIA chargesheet filed in 2021.
The sources suspect Divakar’s complicity with Shihabudeen’s involvement in the arms supply to the Al Hind module.
Jafar drove a tourist bus from Mumbai to Bangalore regularly with arms consignments, which he received from Shihabudeen, and delivered it to the Al Hind module in Bangalore. In September 2019, Pasha himself visited Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Bhiwandi to collect a consignment consisting of four pistols after Jafar Ali and his brother Ajaj Pasha failed to receive it.
Details About Thirthahalli Module
The Karnataka police recovered these pistols during their operation and dismantled the Al Hind module. According to a senior official, after Al-Hind module was busted, the duo on the run radicalized some youth from their hometown and created another module known as Thirthahalli.
The Thirthahalli module first came to the notice of the state police in November 2020 when three youths from Mangalore were arrested for pro-terror graffiti. The module resurfaced in September 2022 during an investigation into a stabbing incident during Independence Day celebrations in Shivamogga.
From November 1 last year till now, a total of 575 incidents of forest fire have been reported in Uttarakhand
Uttarakahand forest fire: Flames rise during a forest fire in Rudraprayag district (PTI)
An IAF chopper on Saturday collected water from Bhimtal Lake to douse forest fires in Uttarakhand.
ANI news agency shared a video showing an Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter taking water from Bhimtal as several hectares of forest in the Uttarakhand region has been gripped in the fire.
The Uttarakhand government has roped in the Indian Army and IAF in controlling the fire in Nainital and other nearby regions.
On IAF chopper dousing the forest fires, Nainital Municipal Corporation Executive Officer Rahul Anand said, “Fire is reported in Nainital in many places, including very close to the Air Force Station in the district. The main purpose of bringing in helicopters to douse the fire was to keep the Air Force Station safe… The situation is under control now. Efforts are continuing.”
The district administration has banned boating in Naini Lake because of the blaze.
Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has acknowledged the severity and said he would be holding a meeting with the stakeholders in Haldwani on Saturday.
“The forest fires are a challenge for us. This is a big fire. We are working for all the essential needs. We have asked for help from the Army… I am going to conduct a meeting in Haldwani today. We have conducted a meeting in Dehradun also regarding this. We will try to control the fire as soon as possible,” Dhami said.
On Friday, Delhi High Court rapped the Delhi government over the delay in the supply of textbooks to 2 lakh students
Ashok Aggarwal said that the Delhi government-run schools lack essential facilities, such as a water supply, uniforms, textbooks (ANI)
As the tussle between the Delhi government and the Lieutenant Governor continues, the Delhi High Court made some vital observations on Friday about the national capital’s administration with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in jail. The petitioner in the case, advocate Ashok Aggarwal, made some strong accusations against the Delhi government and claimed that the reality of the highly hyped schools in Delhi differs significantly from the advertisements.
“The Delhi government deserved to be lashed out. The advertisements they conduct show that they run world-class institutions; however, the reality is entirely different. I have seen several schools of the Delhi government and MCD; I saw 140 students in one class in Delhi…so as three sections sitting together in one class…no water facility and the same condition I witnessed in MCD schools as well,” Aggarwal said.
The advocate mentioned the Right to Education Act and reminded the Delhi Government to provide basic facilities to students studying in Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) schools.
“The issue is that 8 lakh students study at MCD, and under the Right to Education Act, students are entitled to receive textbooks, notebooks, writing materials, and uniforms. Out of 8 lakh, no student has received any of it. Similarly, 10 lakh students from standard 1 to 8 who come under the Right to Education Act are under the Delhi government. They received notebooks after the High Court lambasted them (Delhi government and MCD). However, none of the students have got books,” he said.
Delhi HC slams AAP for prioritising political interests
On Friday, the Delhi High Court rapped the Delhi government over the delay in the supply of textbooks to 2 lakh students. The bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan observed that Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal prioritises political interest over national by not resigning after being jailed in the Delhi excise policy case.
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actor Gurucharan Singh’s missing reports have left his fans worried, a recent CCTV footage shows that he was seen crossing a road in Delhi
Gurucharan Singh’s missing reports have left the fans worried. On Friday evening it was heavily reported that he had been missing for over five days. As the investigation into the matter is ongoing, now CCTV footage has surfaced on the internet. In the video, the actor who essayed the role of Roshan Singh Sodhi in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is spotted with a backpack. If the multiple media reports are to be believed, he was last seen at Delhi airport. He had left for Mumbai on April 22 after celebrating his father’s birthday, but he never returned home.
As reported by the Free Press Journal, the 50-year-old actor in the CCTV footage is seen crossing a road in Delhi’s Palam area. Dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, he was seen at a traffic intersection in Palam around 9:14 pm. According to the missing complaint filed by the actor’s father with the Delhi police, Singh’s flight was scheduled at 8:30 pm on Monday. His complaint read, “My son Gurucharan Singh, Age: 50 years, had left at 8:30 pm on 22nd April to go to Mumbai. He went to the airport to catch a flight. He didn’t reach Mumbai, neither has he returned home and his phone is not reachable.”
The car crossed several lanes and then leapt up 20 feet into the air and then crashed into the woods killing three women, all of them Indians, and injuring one in South Carolina. (Image: Screengrabs/X)
Three women, all hailing from Gujarat’s Anand, lost their lives in a fatal car crash in the US state of South Carolina. Rekhaben Patel, Sangitaben Patel, and Manishaben Patel, the victims, died when their speeding SUV swerved off the road, launched itself at least 20 feet into the air and collided with a bunch of trees on the opposite side of of the highway, after jumping across all lanes in Greenville County.
The SUV was speedily travelling northbound on I-85 when the crash happened, Greenville County Coroner’s Office said while speaking to local media outlets.
The law enforcement officers said that the crash happened on Interstate 85 at Staunton Bridge Road around midday (local time). “When the vehicle jumped all four lanes of traffic, it actually struck trees probably at least 20 feet above the ground,” Chief Deputy Coroner Mike Ellis from the Greenville County Coroner’s Office said.
He further added that after the collision the car rolled down an embankment.
The three women have been living in the US state of Georgia, they further added.
“It’s obvious that they were travelling above the posted speed limit and for some reason left the roadway. Unsure exactly why at this time,” Ellis was quoted as saying by Fox Carolina.
He further said that no other vehicles were involved in the accident. “Very seldom do you see a vehicle that leaves the roadway at such a high rate of speed that it jumps 4-6 lanes of traffic and lands in the trees approximately 20 feet,” he said, elaborating that it rare to to see an SUV lodged in a tree, broken in several places while also explaining the sheer force of the impact.
IMD issued ‘red alert’ for West Bengal, Odisha till month-end, ‘orange alert’ for sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Bihar, and interior Karnataka
Hold onto your hats, as India braces for scorching temperatures set to break records in 2024. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘red alert’ for West Bengal and Odisha until the month-end. An ‘orange alert’ has been raised for sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Bihar, and interior Karnataka.
The IMD predicts ‘heatwave to severe heatwave’ conditions dominating eastern and southern India for the next five days. A rise in maximum temperature of 2-3 degree centigrade over East India is expected in the next 48 hours, followed by heatwaves across Maharashtra and large parts of southern India over the next five days.
The IMD has also forecasted some rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and winds across the western Himalayan region from April 26 to 29. Similar weather conditions are expected to persist over the plains of northwest India from April 26 to 28, extending to adjoining Central India from April 26 to 27.
In a recent announcement, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has confirmed that 2023 clinched the title for ‘the hottest year on record’. The global average near-surface temperature soared to 1.45 degree centigrade above the pre-industrial baseline.
“The global mean near-surface temperature in 2023 was 1.45 ± 0.12 degree centigrade above the pre-industrial 1850–1900 average. 2023 was the warmest year in the 174-year observational record. This broke the record of the previous warmest years, 2016 at 1.29 ± 0.12 degree centigrade above the 1850–1900 average and 2020 at 1.27±0.13 degree centigrade,” the WMO said in March this year.
Billionaire Ankur Jain and former WWE athlete Erika Hammond are married! Erika Hammond/Instagram
Billionaire Ankur Jain and former WWE wrestler Erika Hammond tied the knot Friday in an over-the-top ceremony that took place in front of the Great Pyramids in Egypt.
“We’re New Yorkers and there’s something so special about being in a completely different world environment,” Jain, the founder and CEO of the cashback tech company Bilt Rewards, told People following their nuptials.
“So we decided, our wedding is about having a moment together to celebrate the new beginning, having a really special party with our friends somewhere where you’re in a different world.” (Jain had originally suggested getting married in space, but Hammond was not keen on the idea.)
While the location of their wedding was unique, it wasn’t the only unorthodox detail about their celebrations: The couple had no bridal party, no wedding cake — although they did serve a birthday cake from Milk Bar — and seemingly left most of the planning process up to their coordinators.
“I had no idea what the napkins looked like or what the table setting looked like,” Hammond, 32, told People.
A customer filed a consumer complaint after his order of Nutty Death by Chocolate ice cream from a ‘Cream Stone Ice Cream’ outlet in Bangalore was not delivered.
Chocolate Ice Cream, SwiggyImage for representative purposes
A Consumer Court in Bengaluru recently directed Swiggy to pay ₹3,000 as compensation, apart from ₹2,000 as litigation costs, to a customer for not delivering an ice cream ordered using the food delivery app in 2023.
The Bangalore Urban II Additional District Consumer Redressal Commission also directed the platform, owned by Bundl Technologies, to refund the amount of ₹187 paid by the customer while ordering the ice cream.
“We are of the considered view that the complainant has proved that there is a deficiency of service on the part of the OP [Opposite party/Swiggy) since OP has not refunded the amount paid by the complainant though the ordered product has not been delivered to the complainant. The said acts of the OP amounts to deficiency of service and also unfair trade practice,” the consumer forum ruled.
On January 26 last year, the customer placed on order via Swiggy for ‘Nutty Death by Chocolate’ ice cream from the ‘Cream Stone Ice Cream’ restaurant.
Although the ice cream was not delivered, the status on the Swiggy app was shown as ‘delivered’ after a delivery agent picked up the delivery.
Swiggy failed to refund the order amount to the customer, prompting him to approach the consumer forum for relief.
Before the forum, Swiggy countered that it was only an intermediary between the customer and third-party restaurants or merchants and was protected from liability as per the provisions of the Information Technology Act.
Swiggy maintained that it could not be held liable for the alleged mistake of its delivery boy and that it was not in a position to check if the order was delivered, particularly when it was marked as delivered on the app.
While analysing the case, the bench comprising President Vijaykumar M Pawale, V Anuradha and Renukadevi Deshpande noted that Swiggy had failed to respond to a legal notice issued by the customer for a refund.
It proceeded to reject Swiggy’s contention that it was protected from liability as an intermediary under the Information Technology Act and observed that the exemption was limited to the dissemination of information and not applicable to the sale of goods and services.
SC says request for verification of microcontroller of EVMs can be made within 7 days of declaration of poll results upon payment of fees
On April 26, the Supreme Court rejected pleas seeking complete cross-verification of votes cast using EVMs with a Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT)
The Supreme Court on April 26 rejected pleas seeking cross-verification of the votes cast in electronic voting machines (EVMs) with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) .
The court said “We have rejected the prayer for paper ballot voting, complete EVM-VVPAT verification and physical deposit of VVPAT slips.”
The order comes days after India began voting for Lok Sabha elections on April 19, with votes due to be counted on June 4.
“We have given two directions. One direction is after the completion of symbol loading process, the Symbol Loading Unit should be sealed. The SLU should be stored at least for a period of 45 days. The burnt memory in the microcontroller EVM shall be checked by a team of engineers after the declaration of results on a request by candidates in serial number 2 and 3, such a request to be made within 7 days after the declaration of results.
“The expenses for the verification (of the program) to be borne by the candidates making the request, in case the EVM is found to be tampered, the expenses will be refunded,” said Supreme Court.
A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Dutta had on April 24 reserved the plea for judgment for the second time after they relisted it for getting some clarification from the Election Commission of India (ECI). The court asked the ECI about the availability of Symbol Loading Units (SLU) and safety of micro controllers among other things.
An EVM comprises three units — ballot unit, control unit and the VVPAT. All three are embedded with microcontrollers which have a burnt memory from the manufacturer. Currently, VVPATs are used in five booths per assembly constituency.
The apex court had on April 18 reserved the case for judgment after various lawyers representing the petitioners, an official from the Election Commission of India (ECI) and senior advocate Maninder Singh, who appeared for the ECI.
On April 16, the SC dismissed the request of the petitioners to revert to paper ballot and observed that it would not be practical for a country of the size of India to return to paper ballots, considering the population and other factors.
“What is the population of Germany and what is the population of India ? We are in our 60s now and we know what used to happen earlier when there were paper ballots.” Dipankar Dutta further observed that his home state West Bengal has more population than Germany.
The reliability of VVPAT systems has been questioned for a while. Many critics have cited instances of malfunctioning printers, paper jams, and discrepancies between electronic and paper records.
Delhi HC’s comments came following the government counsel’s statement over the non-supply of books to the children studying in MCD schools.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal(HT_PRINT)
The Delhi High Court on Friday criticised the city government for ‘prioritising the political interests of the party over national interest.’ The court stated that allowing Arvind Kejriwal to remain chief minister despite arrest prioritises the political interests of the party.
Delhi HC’s comments came following the government counsel’s statement over the non-supply of books to the children studying in MCD schools. The counsel said that obtaining approval from CM Kejriwal, currently in custody in connection with an alleged money laundering case linked to the 2021 excise policy, is necessary for the issue.
In response, the court said, “I am sorry to say you have placed your interest above the interest of the students, the children that are studying. That is very clear and we are going to give that finding that you have placed your political interest at a higher pedestal.”
“It is very unfortunate that you have done this. It is wrong and that is what has got highlighted in this matter,” said the bench of acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet P S Arora. The court informed the lawyer representing the Delhi government that it perceives his client’s primary concern as merely the “appropriation of power.”
The bench additionally stated that those in leadership roles must “bring everyone along,” emphasizing that it cannot be a situation of “one person asserting dominance over others.”
Meanwhile, the counsel representing the Delhi government clarified that he was not representing the chief minister and assured the court that the matter concerning the lack of educational materials would be addressed if the MCD commissioner formally requested financial approvals.
“Choice is yours that the chief minster will continue despite being in jail. We will have to say this. This is your administration’s will. You are asking us to go down that track and we will come with full vigour,” Justice Manmohan said.
Two CRPF personnel were killed, and two others were injured in an attack by armed militants in Manipur’s Naransena area. The incident happened between midnight and 2.15 am on Saturday.
Two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed, and two others were injured in an attack by armed militants in the Naransena area of Manipur’s Bishnupur district in the early morning hours of Saturday, police said.
The incident happened between midnight and 2.15 am, police added. The armed groups fired a bomb at the personnel, which then exploded inside the outpost of the security forces.
The personnel belonged to the CRPF’s 128 Battalion deployed in the Naransena area.
“The militants fired indiscriminately from hilltops, targeting the camp. It started around 12.30 am and continued till about 2.15 am. The militants also hurled bombs, one of which exploded in the outpost of CRPF’s 128 battalion,” a senior police officer told news agency PTI.
Gurucharan Singh’s missing complaint has been filed in the Palam area of New Delhi.
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah fans were left shocked on Friday after it was reported that Gurucharan Singh had gone missing. He used to play the role of Sodhi in Asit Kumarr Modi’s show but quit the sitcom in 2020. While police are trying to find Sodhi, his close friend Ms Soni has now revealed that the actor was unwell for the last few days and had even undergone a few tests. She hoped that Singh would be found and stated that she is constantly in touch with his family.
“His parents are worried and have filed a missing report in Delhi. I tried to file one in Mumbai as well, however, since he hasn’t returned back a complaint cannot be filed here. Gurucharan ji’s health also hasn’t been keeping well for the last many days, so I am worried about that,” Ms Soni told Pinkvilla.
“Before leaving for Delhi, his blood pressure was high and he had undergone a few tests as well. He wasn’t even eating much before he left for Delhi. I really hope and pray that he is fine, and returns back safe and sound,” she added.
On Friday, it was reported that Gurucharan’s father filed a missing complaint which read, “My son Gurucharan Singh, Age: 50 years, had left at 8:30 am on 22nd April to go to Mumbai. He went to the airport to catch a flight. He didn’t reach Mumbai, neither has he returned home and his phone is not reachable. He is mentally stable and we had been searching for him but now he has been missing.”
Later, News18 Showsha exclusively reported that Gurucharan’s missing complaint had been filed in the Palam area of New Delhi. We learnt that Police officials are investigating the case and trying to trace the actor’s call records. “Missing complaint was filed around 4 days back in Palam, South Delhi. Based on this, police are investigating the case. No FIR has been filed as of now. All investigation is being done based on the missing complaint,” a police source told us.
A retired MNC head has lost nearly Rs 25 Crore to scamsters who posed as CBI officer and police official. The woman was told that there was a probe of money laundering against her, and was asked to deposit an amount to a new current account. She was assured that her money was being sent to the RBI, and she would get it back soon. However, the woman did not get it. Then, she approached the police.
‘Mumbai’s Biggest Cyber Fraud’: How Fake CBI Officer Thugs Retired MNC Head For Months; Woman Loses 25 Cr (Representative Image)
The Mumbai Police has unearthed a “biggest cyber fraud” of targeting an individual in the city in recent times. A woman who is a resident of western suburbs was cheated of Rs 25 crore by some individuals who posed as police and CBI officers. In the alleged scam, the woman, who is a retired director of a multinational company (MNC), lost nearly Rs 25 crore to cyber fraudsters. The police on Thursday said the accused intimidated her saying she was being probed in a money laundering case. She was asked to pay a certain amount to a new current account after being assured her she would get her money back, which never happened.
According to the police, the woman was threatened. In response to which, she followed what the scamsters asked her to do and sold shares of her and her mother’s, and also mutual fund investments. The victim even took out a gold loan to pay money to them. The officials informed that the incident took place during a two-month period starting February 6 this year.
“The complainant, who stays in a western suburb, received a WhatsApp call with the caller posing as an official of the telecom department, who told her that her three mobile numbers will be deactivated. When the victim, who is a senior citizen, sought to know the reason, the caller told her that he was connecting the call to a police officer,” he said.
After the first call, the woman was connected to another man posing as a police officer. He said they have received a money laundering complaint against her and her mobile numbers and Aadhaar card was found linked to the case, the police said.
The application by Singh for further investigation into the allegations was opposed by the Delhi Police, which called it a delay tactic.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Rouse avenue court
A Delhi court on Friday rejected a plea filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh seeking directions to the Delhi Police to further investigate the allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by women wrestlers.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Priyanka Rajpoot said that the Court will pronounce order on framing of charge on May 7.
Singh had filed the application before the Court on April 18, the day it was scheduled to pronounce order on framing of charges against him.
He raised the defence of alibi and told the court that he was not in Delhi when one of the wrestlers who has complained against him was allegedly sexually harassed.
The legislator, therefore, asked for directions to investigate the aspect and also place on record the Call Detail Records (CDRs).
The application was opposed by the Delhi Police, which called it a delay tactic.
Six wrestlers had levelled sexual harassment allegations against Singh. Based on their complaints, the police had registered a first information report (FIR) against the MP.
On June 15, 2023, the police filed a chargesheet against Singh for offences under Sections 354 (outraging modesty), 354A (sexually coloured remarks), 354D (stalking) and 506(1) (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The complainants had earlier moved the Supreme Court for the registration of an FIR against Singh.
Two days ago, the Bombay High Court rejected his plea directing him to cooperate with the police for interrogation.
Left Sahil Khan, Right Logo Of Mahadev Betting App |
Actor Sahil Khan who was previously questioned by the Mumbai Police’s Crime Branch in connection with the cheating case registered against the Mahadev betting app case, has been declared absconding, said police officials on Friday.
Khan was granted interim protection by the Bombay High Court recently after the session court rejected his pre-arrest plea. Soon after, on Saturday last week, Khan appeared before the Mumbai Police. He was questioned by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for over three hours.
Bombay HC Rejects Pleas, Declares Him Absconding
Khan who was first summoned in December 2023 has been avoiding arrests by applying for anticipatory bail with the courts. He also approached the Bombay HC seeking quashing of the FIR.
Two days ago, the Bombay High Court rejected his plea directing him to cooperate with the police for interrogation. On Friday, a team from the Crime Branch visited Khan’s residence and found that he was missing. Despite repeated attempts, he was not found and then ended up declaring Khan as absconding.
Khan’s role is yet to be fixed, however, police officials said that he promoted advertisements urging citizens to use the betting app. By publicising the Mahadev app, he allegedly made huge profits. The court had noted the same while rejecting his pleas.
Pleas for 100% verification of EVM-VVPAT: Supreme Court rejected pleas for paper ballot voting, complete EVM-VVPAT verification.
The Supreme Court affirms the credibility of EVMs and their integration with VVPATs. (Image for representational purpose)
Pleas for 100% verification of EVM-VVPAT: The Supreme Court on Friday rejected petitions seeking complete cross-verification of votes cast using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT). A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta delivered two concurring verdicts in the matter.
Pronouncing the judgment, Justice Khanna said the court has rejected all the petitions, including those seeking resorting back to ballot papers in elections.
The court allowed verification of the microcontroller of EVMs by the manufacturer after poll results on request of candidates who stand second and third. The apex court also said a request for verification of the microcontroller of EVMs can be made within seven days of the declaration of election results upon payment of fees.
VVPAT-EVM case: Supreme Court issued directives
The Supreme Court also issued two directions issued – containers carrying the symbol loading unit should be sealed in the presence of polling agents and candidates and be kept secured for 45 days and the control unit, ballot unit and VVPAT shall be verified by engineers of the manufacturing companies post the result of the counting on a written request to be made within seven days of the declaration of results.
What is VVPAT?
India has been using Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) since 2000 to record votes. The ballot unit is connected to a VVPAT or ‘voter verifiable paper audit trail’ unit which produces a paper slip that is visible to the voter via a transparent screen for about seven seconds before it gets stored in a sealed drop box.
Under the present system, the poll body counts and matches the VVPAT paper slips at five randomly selected polling stations in each state legislative assembly constituency, several of which are combined to form one parliamentary seat.
‘Can’t control the elections’: Supreme Court
On Wednesday, the apex court had said it could not “control the elections” or issue directions simply because doubts have been raised about the efficacy of EVMs, as it reserved its judgment on the clutch of petitions, which also claimed the polling devices can be tinkered with to manipulate the results.
The court said it could not change the thought process of those doubting the advantages of polling machines and advocating going back to ballot papers.
The bench also took note of the answers to queries it posed to the Election Commission.
It sought answers from an official of the poll panel to five questions related to the functioning of EVMs, including whether the microcontrollers fitted in them are reprogrammable.
According to a recent report, the two arrested shooters in the firing incident outside Salman Khan’s Mumbai house have now been interrogated by the NIA.
NIA interrogates two arrested accused in firing case (Pic Courtesy: Salman Khan Instagram)
Trigger warning: This article has mentions of firing and weapons.
The investigation into the shocking firing incident that took place outside Salman Khan’s house on April 14 keeps bringing new updates with every passing day. The two accused shooters, Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta, have already been arrested in the case and are currently in custody.
In a recent development, it has been learned that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has interrogated the two shooters.
Shooters arrested in firing incident outside Salman Khan’s residence questioned by NIA
According to a recent update by ANI on their X (Twitter) account, Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta, who were arrested a few days ago for open firing outside Salman Khan’s Galaxy Apartments in Mumbai, have been interrogated by NIA. The tweet read, “NIA has interrogated shooters Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal, arrested in the firing case.”
Have a look at the tweet here!
Salman Khan residence firing case | NIA has interrogated shooters Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal, arrested in the firing case
Mumbai Police arrest two men from Punjab for supplying weapons to shooters for firing outside Salman Khan’s home
The above-mentioned news agency reported yesterday that two individuals from Punjab had been arrested by the Mumbai Crime Branch for their alleged connection to the recent firing incident outside Bollywood superstar Salman Khan’s house.
The Mumbai Crime Branch has revealed that the two men, named Sonu Subhash Chander and Anuj Thapan, supplied guns to the shooters, Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta. They were reportedly also in touch with the Bishnoi gang. For the uninitiated, Anmol Bishnoi, brother of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, had allegedly claimed responsibility for the firing in a Facebook post hours after the incident.
Meanwhile, Mumbai’s Esplanade Court has extended the custody of the shooters until April 29.
The Delhi High Court was hearing petitions by WhatsApp and its parent company Facebook Inc, now Meta, challenging the 2021 Information Technology (IT) rules for social media intermediaries.
A lawyer appearing for WhatsApp told the Delhi High Court that the Meta-owned messaging platform “goes if we are told to break encryption”. The advocate also told the court that people use the platform due to the privacy it assures and also because messages are end-to-end encrypted.
The remarks were made as the High Court was on Thursday hearing petitions by WhatsApp and its parent company Facebook Inc, now Meta, challenging the 2021 Information Technology (IT) rules for social media intermediaries requiring the messaging app to trace chats and make provisions to identify the first originator of information.
The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 were announced by the Centre on February 25, 2021. It requires large social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp to comply with the latest norms.
Appearing for the messaging platform, lawyer Tejas Karia told a bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, “As a platform, we are saying, if we are told to break encryption, then WhatsApp goes,” Bar and Bench reported.
“We will have to keep a complete chain, and we don’t know which messages will be asked to be decrypted. It means millions and millions of messages will have to be stored for a number of years,” he said.
The bench, while observing that the matter would have to be argued by the parties, asked if a similar law exists in any other country.
“There is no such rule anywhere else in the world. Not even in Brazil,” the lawyer replied.
Sachin Sahoo was pronounced dead at the scene after police officer Tyler Turner shot at him on April 21.
Mr Sahoo originally hailed from Uttar Pradesh.
A 42-year-old Indian-origin man was shot dead by police in San Antonio after he struck two officers with his vehicle as they were trying to apprehend him in connection with an aggravated assault case.
Sachin Sahoo was pronounced dead at the scene after police officer Tyler Turner shot at him on April 21.
Mr Sahoo originally hailed from Uttar Pradesh. Sources said he could have been a naturalised US citizen.
According to a preliminary investigation, just before 6:30 pm on April 21, officers were dispatched to a home in Cheviot Heights in San Antonio for a report about Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, the San Antonio Police Department said in a statement to PTI.
Upon arrival, officers found a 51-year-old female who had been intentionally struck by a vehicle.
The suspect, Mr Sahoo, had fled the location. The victim was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. San Antonio Police Detectives issued a felony arrest warrant for Mr Sahoo in that incident.
Several hours later, neighbours called the police to inform them that Mr Sahoo had returned to the original location. Officers arrived and attempted to contact him when he struck two officers with his vehicle. One officer fired his weapon, striking Mr Sahoo, who was “pronounced deceased on scene.” One officer was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries and the other officer was treated for his injuries on scene. Nobody else was injured during the incident. This investigation remains ongoing, police said.
Police Chief Bill McManus said that Mr Sahoo had run over the woman, who was his roommate, with his vehicle. The woman was undergoing several surgeries and was in critical condition.
The police had issued an arrest warrant for Mr Sahoo and a couple of officers had gone to his known location on April 21 to see if they could find him and arrest him. “They did find him and he jumped in his car. He pulled out of his driveway” where the police officers blocked him with their vehicles but he was able to squeeze through them.Mr Sahoo hit the officers with his vehicle. “The other officer that was with him fired to stop him and struck him,” McManus said.
He said the police is yet to look at the bodycam footage to determine further facts.
A report in Kens5.com quoted Mr Sahoo’s ex-wife Leah Goldstein as saying that Mr Sahoo was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Advocate Tejas Karia, appearing for WhatsApp, said people use the platform because of the privacy assured by it and because messages on it are end-to-end encrypted.
The requirement in new IT rules, WhatsApp said, was against users’ privacy. Representational
WhatsApp won’t stay if it is made to break encryption of messages, the messaging service platform has told Delhi High Court in a case challenging the amended IT rules. WhatsApp and Facebook (now Meta) have challenged Rule 4(2) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
This rule lays down that a social media intermediary providing services primarily in the nature of messaging shall enable the identification of the first originator of the information on its computer resource, as may be required by a judicial order passed by a court or competent authority.
Advocate Tejas Karia, appearing for WhatsApp, said people use the platform because of the privacy assured by it and because messages on it are end-to-end encrypted.
“As a platform, we are saying, if we are told to break encryption, then WhatsApp goes,” Mr Karia told a Bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, a Bar and Bench report said.
The requirement, he said, was against users’ privacy and was introduced without consultation. Mr Karia said this rule will require WhatsApp to store millions of messages for years, a requirement that exists nowhere else in the world. “We will have to keep a complete chain and we don’t know which messages will be asked to be decrypted. It means millions and millions of messages will have to be stored for a number of years,” he said.
He stressed that the parent Information Technology Act does not provide for breaking of encryption. The bench then asked if such a law exists anywhere else in the world. “Have these matters been taken up anywhere in the world? You have never been asked to share the information anywhere in the world? Even in South America?” Mr Karia replied, “No, not even in Brazil.”
Earlier, the Centre told the court that WhatsApp and Facebook monetise users’ information for commercial purposes and are not legally entitled to claim that it protects privacy. The Centre also said regulators of various countries hold that Facebook should be made accountable.
The centre’s counsel Kirtiman Singh contended that people know the things that can happen on social media and the idea behind the rule is to trace the originator of the message. He said there has to be some mechanism to trace messages and underlined that WhatsApp has faced some difficult questions before the US Congress.
The Court called for a balance to be struck and adjourned the matter to August 14. It said these two matters will be heard with a batch of cases that were transferred to the High Court by the Supreme Court.
Opposing the petition by WhatsApp, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has said WhatsApp has already violated fundamental rights of India’s users by denying them any dispute resolution rights in the country.
Dehradun Water Crisis: To address the water crisis in the affected areas, the state government has made an alternative plan and asked the Jal Sansthan (Water department) to supply water to these areas.
Water crisis hits Dehradun.
Dehradun Water Crisis: After Bengaluru, it is Dehradun – another city on the foothills of the Himalayas which is facing water crisis amid rising temperature. About 120 localities within the city due are facing water shortage due to heatwave.
To address the water crisis in these areas, the state government has made an alternative plan and asked the Jal Sansthan (Water department) to supply water to these areas with tankers and then to make sure that generators are available at tube wells for uninterrupted water supply.
Dehradun Water Crisis News: Ground Water Level Depletes
The city of Dehradun at present is depending on 283 tube wells and three river-spring sources for its water supply. However, with the rise in temperature, the ground water level has gone down and it has affected the capacity of tube wells.
In Dehradun, the state Water Department said it has identified over 120 localities, 16 settlements, and colonies across four zones which are facing severe water shortages.
Speaking to jagran.com, Neelima Garg, Chief General Manager of Jal Sansthan (Water department), said all arrangements have been made and there is no water crisis.
She further added that a zone-wise plan has been prepared to address the drinking water issues and the department said it has arranged for 30 tankers, including eight departmental tankers, and 10 generators to power tube wells if electricity is disrupted.
Check List of Localities That Face Water Crisis
North Zone: In north zone, the areas that are affected by water crisis include Johri, Naiwala, Suman Nagar, Saket colony, Aryanagar, DL Road, Kothar Gaon, Bagaria Gaon, Makkawala, Naya Gaon.
South Zone: In south zone, the areas that are affected by water crisis include Nashvilla Road, Chukhuwala, Dovalwala, Indira Colony, Vijay Colony, Chanderlok Colony, Tagore Villa, Lakhibagh, Bhandari Bagh, Ramnagar.
Raipur Zone: In Raipur zone, the areas that are affected by water crisis include Shastri Nagar, Chakshah Nagar, Upper Sarathi Vihar, Lower Sarathi Vihar, Bank Colony, Badrish Colony, Om Vihar.
The Jharkhand government is on high alert after bird flu cases were confirmed in Ranchi. Over 4,000 birds have been culled, with more to be culled in the coming days.
The bird flu cases were confirmed at the Regional Poultry Farm in Hotwar in Ranchi. (Representational image: Reuters)
The Jharkhand government on Wednesday sounded an alert after multiple cases of bird flu, also called Avian flu, were reported in a state-run poultry farm in Ranchi.
Around 4000 birds, including chickens, were culled, and hundreds of eggs were also destroyed after the cases were confirmed at the Regional Poultry Farm in Hotwar in the state capital, officials said.
The sale of chicken, birds, and eggs has been banned in a 1-kilometre area from the place of outbreak of the avian flu.
The culling of remaining poultry at the Regional Poultry Farm will be conducted in the coming days and will be disposed of through scientific methods, an order detailing Standard Operating Procedures, issued by the government, stated.
Officials have been directed to conduct a survey within a radius of 1 kilometre from the epicentre to find infections and proceed with culling. They have also been asked to make a map of the 10 km area and mark it as a surveillance zone.
“There will be a complete ban on buying and selling until further orders. The district administration team is going door-to-door in the 1 km of affected area and surveying the availability of birds/eggs, etc. The houses/shops/carts, etc., which have the above material, will cooperate with the survey team and ensure that they give information about the birds/eggs, etc., and hand them over for culling,” the order stated.
The judge, known for ordering a videography survey of the Gyanvapi complex in 2022, has requested an investigation into the threats he’s facing.
Gyanvapi mosque, which sits beside the Kashi Vishwanath temple, is seen from a distance in Varanasi. (Reuters)
Additional sessions judge Ravi Kumar Diwakar has told the Uttar Pradesh police that he was getting “malicious calls and death threats from international numbers”.
The judge, who is known for ordering a videography survey of Varanasi’s Gyanvapi complex in 2022, has requested for an investigation into the threats.
Diwakar, writing a letter to the SSP Sushil Chandrabhan Ghule this week, said that he was receiving threatening calls from international numbers “which is deeply concerning”, TOI reported.
Earlier, after similar concerns were raised by the judge following the Gyanvapi judgment, the Allahabad High Court had sanctioned Y-category security for him and his family, but later downgraded to X-category.
Diwakar’s present security arrangement consists of two security personnel. One of his aides mentioned that this security is inadequate, as the two personnel lack weapons to counter terrorists armed with automatic guns and modern weaponry, reported TOI.
In 2022, Diwakar had said: “An atmosphere of fear was created by making this civil case into an extraordinary case. The fear is so much that my family is always concerned about my safety and I am concerned about their safety. Concerns about safety are repeatedly expressed by my wife when I am out of the house.”
Last year, a Popular Front of India (PFI) member was arrested near Diwakar’s Lucknow house. At that time, Shahjahanpur SSP Ashok Kumar Meena had assigned a gunner to guard the house of Justice Diwakar’s brother, who also serves as an additional district judge.
However, the security detail was withdrawn due to the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
Having recently been transferred to Bareilly, Justice Diwakar took suo motu action on the 2018 Bareilly riots case, summoning senior cleric Tauqeer Raza to stand trial as the alleged mastermind.
A JDU leader was fatally shot by unidentified attackers in Patna on Wednesday night while returning from a wedding ceremony.
Saurabh Kumar was shot dead in Patna. (Photo: India Today)
A young leader of the Janata Dal United (JDU) in Bihar was shot dead by unidentified attackers in Patna on Wednesday night, police told India Today.
Four attackers on a bike opened fire at Saurabh Kumar late at night when he, along with his friends and family, was returning from a wedding ceremony.
“Attackers on motorcycles opened fire at Kumar while returning from a reception. Another person was also injured in the incident, and their condition is stable,” Superintendent of Police Bharat Soni said.
According to Delhi Police, information was received about an attack on an ice cream vendor with knives late on Wednesday evening, after which the police took the victim to the hospital.
The police said that the victim has been identified as Prabhakar (25). (Representational)
An ice cream vendor has been stabbed to death near India Gate in the national capital, police said. The police said that the victim has been identified as Prabhakar (25).
According to Delhi Police, information was received about an attack on an ice cream vendor with knives late on Wednesday evening, after which the police took the victim to the hospital.
Later the victim succumbed to his injuries, police added.
“The preliminary investigation suggests that the deceased was attacked with a knife due to a fight. The deceased has three wounds on his body, one of which is very deep, due to which he died. We have also recovered some money and a watch from the victim’s bag”, the police said.
A case has also been registered under section 302.
The accused who is currently on the run has been identified with the help of CCTV cameras placed in the nearby shops.
The commerce ministry has also directed Indian embassies in both Singapore and Hong Kong to send a detailed report on the matter.
India sought details from food safety regulators of Singapore and Hong Kong over MDH and Everest masala
India, the world’s largest producer, consumer and exporter of spices, has sought details from food safety regulators of Singapore and Hong Kong, which has banned certain spices of Indian brands MDH and Everest due to quality concerns.
The commerce ministry has also directed Indian embassies in both Singapore and Hong Kong to send a detailed report on the matter.
The ministry has also sought details from the Indian firms – MDH and Everest, whose products have been banned for allegedly containing pesticide ‘ethylene oxide’ beyond permissible limits.
“Details have been sought from the companies. Root cause of the rejection and corrective actions will be determined along with the exporters concerned,” a commerce ministry official said.
Technical details, analytical reports and the details of the exporters whose consignments have been rejected have been sought from Embassies at Singapore and Hong Kong, the official said.
Details have also been sought from Singapore Food Agency and Centre for Food Safety, and Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Hong Kong, the official added.
Patanjali assured the court that it would issue another, more prominently displayed apology in the media within a week.
Yoga guru Ramdev at the Supreme Court for a hearing on the Patanjali misleading advertisements case on Tuesday.(PTI)
New Delhi The Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned yoga guru and entrepreneur Ramdev and Patanjali’s managing director Balkrishna on the size and visibility of an apology issued by Patanjali for previous misleading advertisements, even as it broadened its judicial scrutiny into deceptive advertisements to include “alleged unethical practices” among doctors practising modern medicine.
“Is the apology the same size as your advertisements? When you issue an apology, it does not mean that we have to see it by a microscope…It does not have to only be in papers but is meant to be read…somebody in the dock has to come clean,” a bench of justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah remarked, highlighting the possible discrepancy in the scale between Patanjali’s widespread misleading advertisements and their comparatively inconspicuous apology published in newspapers.
Seeking to wriggle out of the contempt charge for disobeying previous court orders, senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi and Balbir Singh, appearing for Ramdev and Balkrishna, assured the court that Patanjali would issue another, more prominently displayed apology in the media within a week.
Rohatgi also informed the bench that Patanjali has issued an apology in 67 publications, which, along with a fresh apology to be printed within a week, will be presented to the bench before the next hearing on April 30.
Responding, the bench said: “Cut the actual newspaper clippings and keep them handy. For you to photocopy by enlarging, it may not impress us. We want to see the actual size of the ad.”
The public apology issued by Patanjali in various publications between April 22 and 23 stated: “We tender our heartfelt apology for the mistakes committed in publishing ads and holding press conferences despite the assurances by our counsel. We are committed not to repeat this mistake.”
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has questioned the absence of an Indian ambassador and embassy in Israel until 1992 during a forum in Hyderabad on Tuesday.
S Jaishankar (File photo)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has questioned the absence of an Indian ambassador and embassy in Israel until 1992 during a forum in Hyderabad on Tuesday.
#WATCH | Hyderabad, Telangana: At the forum for Nationalist Thinkers- Hyderabad Chapter ‘Foreign Policy The India Way: From Diffidence To Confidence’, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, “Just think of a country like Israel… Israel became independent in 1948. From 1948 to 1992, we chose… pic.twitter.com/qzPppBmOUt
He highlighted the significance of faith in shaping policy decisions, citing India’s delayed establishment of diplomatic ties with Israel despite officially recognizing the country in 1950.
“Think of a country like Israel, people speak today, saying everybody is the same and we should not bring faith into any discussion. Israel became independent in 1948; from 1948 to 1992, we choose not to have an Ambassador and an Embassy in Israel. Why? From 1992, we had an Embassy; from 1992 to 2017, when PM Modi went to Israel, no PM of India ever went to Israel,” the minister said at the forum for Nationalist Thinkers- Hyderabad Chapter ‘Foreign Policy The India Way: From Diffidence To Confidence.
Students stand under the sun casting negligible shadows on the ‘Zero Shadow Day’ at Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, in Bengaluru. (PTI file photo)
In Bengaluru, residents are gearing up for a rare celestial treat on Wednesday as their shadows will vanish for a brief moment during a phenomenon known as ‘Zero Shadow Day.’ This unique astronomical event is set to occur between 12:17 pm and 12:23 pm on April 24. It will be experienced by places situated at the same latitudes as Bengaluru.
Bengaluru, positioned at a latitude of 13.0 degrees north, experiences this phenomenon twice a year, typically around April 24/25 and August 18. It’s usually observed around the equinoxes in March and September each year.
Between September 2020 and April 2024, food safety authorities in the European Union have found contamination in 527 products linked to India, most of them nuts and sesame seeds (313), herbs and spices (60), dietetic foods (48) and other food products (34).
Exposure to the ethylene oxide is said to cause lymphoma and leukemia among other cancers. Representative image Credit: DH Illustration
Ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing chemical whose traces led to a ban on Indian products in Hong Kong and Singapore, has been routinely found in Indian products by the European Food Safety Authority but no proactive steps have been taken by officials to ban the use of the chemical.
Between September 2020 and April 2024, food safety authorities in the European Union have found contamination in 527 products linked to India, most of them nuts and sesame seeds (313), herbs and spices (60), dietetic foods (48) and other food products (34). As many as 87 of the consignments were rejected at the border while many of the remaining were removed from the markets later.
Ethylene oxide, a colourless gas, is used as a pesticide and sterilising agent, though the chemical was originally intended to sterilise medical devices. Exposure to the ethylene oxide is said to cause lymphoma and leukemia among other cancers.
Data available from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), an online system that traces safety of food in the European Union member countries, shows the chemical was found in 525 food products and two feed products. While India was mentioned as the sole origin country for 332 of them, authorities tagged other countries where the chemical was found for the remaining products.
Jubin George Joseph, Chief Operating Officer, Ramaiah Advanced Testing Labs, said besides the direct exposure to ethylene oxide, consumers are susceptible to two more chemicals produced by the presence of the chemical in a food product.
Social media users bid farewell to Air India’s Boeing 747 as it departs from Mumbai for the last time, with many expressing nostalgia for the iconic aircraft.
The aircraft (nicknamed Agra) was de-registered by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation last year and is now likely to be dismantled and stripped for parts.
Air India Boeing 747 took to the skies for the last time on Monday — dubbed as the ‘end of an era’ by many on social media platforms. The iconic long haul jet performed the tradition ‘wing wave’ manoeuvre — a practice reserved for retiring flights — before heading towards Panefield in the US.
“Today, we wave goodbye to the first of our last Queen of the Skies — the B747 — departing Mumbai. Thank you for an era of majestic flights. We’ll miss your iconic presence,” Air India tweeted.
The aircraft (nicknamed Agra) was de-registered by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation last year and is now likely to be dismantled and stripped for parts. A second Boeing 747 aircraft is also expected to depart from Mumbai in the near future while two other planes will be broken down for parts within the city.
“Goodbye Air India jumbo. Air India Boeing B744 taxiing towards runway 27 at Mumbai via famous N1 for the very last time. Departing from Mumbai to it’s birth place Everett (PAE),” tweeted one user.
“I was 5 years old when Air India introduced its first Boeing 747-400. Dad and mum picked up on a news headline hinting at the Queen Of The Skies being tested at Madras International. We took the bike, raced to a patch of poromboku land near the NE side of runway No 07/25. We watched this thing of majesty for two hours straight, approaching the runway, landing and immediately taking off. Core memory unlocked for sure, but this was the catalyst for my obsession with flying machines. Never got to fly aboard one but I’ll miss it regardless,” recalled another user.
At least 15 Delhi-bound flights were diverted as the national capital witnessed a sudden change in the weather on Tuesday evening, with heavy rain and thunderstorms lashing parts of the city.
At least 15 Delhi-bound flights were diverted as the national capital witnessed a sudden change in the weather on Tuesday evening, with heavy rain and thunderstorms lashing parts of the city. According to a source from the Indira Gandhi International Airport, nine flights were diverted to Jaipur; two each to Amritsar and Lucknow; and one each to Mumbai and Chandigarh.
In its latest update, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Delhi witnessed a brief spell of heavy rain and strong winds, which led to a dip in the maximum temperature. It settled at 36.8 degrees Celsius, a notch below normal.
In two separate posts on X, Vistara airlines said two of its flights to the national capital from Pune and Ranchi were diverted “due to bad weather at Delhi airport”.
“Flight UK754 from Ranchi to Delhi (IXR-DEL) has been diverted to Jaipur (JAI) due to bad weather at Delhi airport and is expected to arrive in Jaipur (JAI) at 1840 hours,” one post read.
#DiversionUpdate: Flight UK754 from Ranchi to Delhi (IXR-DEL) has been diverted to Jaipur (JAI) due to bad weather at Delhi airport and is expected to arrive in Jaipur (JAI) at 1840 hours. Please stay tuned for further updates.
“Flight UK998 from Pune to Delhi (PNQ-DEL) has been diverted to Amritsar (ATQ) due to bad weather at Delhi airport and is expected to arrive in Amritsar (ATQ) at 1930 hours. Please stay tuned for further updates.”
#DiversionUpdate: Flight UK998 from Pune to Delhi (PNQ-DEL) has been diverted to Amritsar (ATQ) due to bad weather at Delhi airport and is expected to arrive in Amritsar (ATQ) at 1930 hours. Please stay tuned for further updates.
