Highlights: Congress demands resignation of Ashwini Vaishnaw over deadly stampede at NDLS

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9:47 PM

US Blames Iran for Instability, Threats to Peace in West Asia

As United States exerts maximum pressure on Iran, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday blamed the country for "instability, violence and destabilising" activities in the Middle East.

In a joint press briefing with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Rubio said that Iran is behind everything that threatens peace and stability in the region.

9:06 PM

Ajit Pawar warns contractors against submitting false bills for work

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has alleged that many contractors are submitting bills and receiving money for development works without carrying them out, warning that such practices won't be tolerated.

 

He was speaking on Saturday at a programme in Partur in Jalna district where ex-MLA and Congress leader Suresh Jethliya joined his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

8:54 PM

President Murmu highlights positive impact of development on tribals

President Droupadi Murmu said on Sunday that the ongoing development initiatives have positively impacted tribal communities across the country. Speaking at the inauguration of Aadi Mahotsav 2025, she noted that multi-dimensional efforts are being made to ensure their progress.

 

"The true development of our nation will be realized only when our tribal communities progress," Murmu said.

8:20 PM

All special trains in the direction of Prayagraj will be run from platform number 16: Railways

A day after the tragic stampede incident at New Delhi railway station, Northern Railway enforced a number of measures to avoid any such untoward incident in the days to come.

 

The Ministry of Railways has announced that all special trains in the direction of Prayagraj will be run from platform number 16.

 

"Therefore, all the passengers wanting to go to Prayagraj shall come & go from Ajmeri Gate side of New Delhi railway station. Regular trains will continue to be operated from all platforms as the regular practice is. This is a step in the direction of avoiding peak hour rush getting accumulated in one platform," the Ministry said in an official statement.

 

"In addition, the deployment of RPF & GRP forces in New Delhi Railway station has been increased. These personnel are assisting the passengers by helping them guide towards the platform in which their train is scheduled to depart. In addition to the focus on increased operational efficiency in rush hours, Northern Railways ran three special trains by evening 7 pm to clear the additional rush in the direction of Prayagraj. This includes one special train to Darbhanga via Prayagraj and two more special trains towards Prayagraj. Besides regular trains towards prayagraj one more special Train is scheduled to depart at 9 pm to cater to the peak evening hour demand. Given the unprecedented crowd of travellers wanting to go in the direction of Prayagraj, Indian Railway has scheduled five more special trains Tomorrow, i.e. 17/02/205 for Mahakumbh devotees," the statement added.

7:58 PM

'Very sad' incident: Nitish Kumar on Delhi railway station stampede

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday described the deadly stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station that claimed 18 lives as a "very sad" incident.

 

In a brief statement to the media after arriving in the national capital, Kumar said his government will help the stampede victims from Bihar.

 

Asked about the stampede, Kumar said, "I got to know about it. This is a very sad incident. There are people from Bihar as well... we have decided to help their families".

 

The Bihar government has announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the kin of those from Bihar who died in the stampede and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

7:20 PM

Tight security, barricaded gates at Lok Nayak hospital after New Delhi railway station stampede

Hundreds of paramilitary personnel were deployed and the entry and exit gates sealed, denying access to everyone except medical staff at the LNJP hospital, where victims were brought hours after a deadly stampede at the New Delhi railway station late on Saturday evening that left at least 18 people dead and more than a dozen injured.

 

Chaos erupted at the station when a massive crowd rushed to board trains to Prayagraj, where the Maha Kumbh is being held, triggering the stampede.

 

There was a heavy deployment of paramilitary forces outside the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain (LNJP) Hospital and the gates to the facility were barricaded with police ropes, preventing entry. All the entry and exit gates were sealed, with security personnel enforcing strict access control.

 

Visitors were thoroughly checked and only those with official reports were allowed inside the Delhi government-run hospital.

 

Even media personnel were denied access, with strict orders in place to restrict movement within the hospital premises.

 

Some distraught family members were not allowed to enter the casualty and orthopaedic departments, where the injured were being treated.

 

Desperate to locate their missing loved ones among the admitted patients, they were turned away after officials merely checked the lists in their possession.

 

Many of them complained that none of the hospitals, where the victims were taken, allowed them to search for their relatives and denied them the opportunity to file missing complaints.

 

At the LNJP Hospital, which received the highest number of victims, the atmosphere was tense.

6:45 PM

Gaurav Gogoi may be trapped, I have sympathy for him: Assam CM Himanta on Cong MP's wife's controversy

Appearing to soften his stand against Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi over the controversy surrounding the Congress leader's British wife, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday suggested that the opposition leader may have been "trapped or blackmailed" as part of a larger "anti-India" conspiracy.

 

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event, Sarma expressed sympathy for Gogoi, saying the matter had gone beyond politics with the emergence of new evidence and was now solely related to national security.

 

Earlier in the day, the BJP leader welcomed the Congress MP's planned legal case over the controversy related to his wife Elizabeth Colburn's alleged ISI links, saying the state government was also mulling a similar step.

 

"We started discussing this topic about a parliamentarian, but now it has escalated to a much higher level. It is no longer related to Gaurav Gogoi. Now, we have proof or information of an anti-India force actively working behind this. We will decide in today's cabinet," Sarma told reporters here.

6:19 PM

I would urge the banking sector to understand the demands, priorities of textile industry: PM Modi

At Bharat Tex 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "...I would urge the banking sector to understand the demands and priorities of these industries and fulfil them. This event is greatly promoting investment, exports, and overall growth in the textile sector..."

6:13 PM

EAM S Jaishankar, Omani counterpart discuss cooperation in trade, investment, energy security

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday held wide-ranging discussions with his Omani counterpart Badr Albusaidi on bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and energy security.

 

Jaishankar is in the Omani capital here to attend the 8th Indian Ocean Conference.

 

"Delighted to meet FM @badralbusaidi of Oman this morning. Appreciate his personal efforts in successfully hosting the 8th Indian Ocean Conference," Jaishankar posted on X.

 

"Held wide-ranging discussions on our cooperation in trade, investment and energy security," he said.

 

The two leaders jointly released the logo celebrating the 70th anniversary of the diplomatic relations.

5:19 PM

Godrej Properties bought 12 land parcels in Apr-Dec 2024: Pirojsha

Godrej Properties acquired 12 land parcels during April-December period of this fiscal to develop housing projects worth Rs 23,450 crore, and plans to buy more in the ongoing quarter to expand business amid strong consumer demand.

 

Godrej Properties acquires land outright and also partners with landowners, under new business development.

 

In an interview with PTI, Godrej Properties Executive Chairperson Pirojsha Godrej said the "business development was very strong during December quarter".

 

The company signed new projects with a total booking value potential of nearly Rs 11,000 crore during the third quarter of this fiscal, he said, adding the business development crossed Rs 23,000 crore during April-December.

4:36 PM

New Delhi stampede incident deeply heartbreaking: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday expressed grief over the loss of lives in a stampede at New Delhi railway station, and stressed on the need for careful planning and management for safety of people.

 

At least 18 people were killed and more than a dozen injured in the stampede that broke out late Saturday night at the crowded railway station in the national capital.

 

"The tragic loss of 18 lives in the Delhi stampede is deeply heartbreaking. This painful incident highlights the importance of careful planning and management, especially when it comes to the safety of citizens," Banerjee said in a post on X.

3:01 PM

Lalu Prasad courts controversy with Maha Kumbh 'meaningless' remark

RJD supremo Lalu Prasad on Sunday sparked controversy with his remarks dubbing the Maha Kumbh as "meaningless, as he blamed the Railways for the stampede in New Delhi that claimed 18 lives. Prasad also slammed the BJP-led government at the Centre over the incident at New Delhi railway station, and demanded resignation of the railway minister.

2:44 PM

New Delhi Railway Station stampede: Maharashtra CM Fadnavis condoles loss of lives

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday expressed grief over the loss of lives in a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station and said authorities will take steps to ensure such incidents do not recur. "It was an unfortunate incident. Authorities will take steps to ensure such incidents don't happen in future," Fadnavis told reporters in Nagpur while responding to a question on the stampede.

2:32 PM

Govt tried to cover up stampede, Railway minister should resign: TMC leaders

Trinamool Congress leaders on Sunday accused the Centre of trying to cover up the stampede at the New Delhi Railway station, and demanded that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw be sacked. In a post on X, TMC Rajya Sabha deputy leader Sagarika Ghose accused the government of "callously playing with the lives of Indian citizens" and called it "tragic beyond words".

2:13 PM

Railway stations in Prayagraj adhering to protocols after stampede in Delhi

In view of the stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday that claimed 18 lives and the huge influx of devotees coming to attend the Maha Kumbh, railway stations in Prayagraj have been directed to ensure strict adherence to the previously issued protocols to prevent any untoward incident.

2:03 PM

NDLS stampede: Congress demands resignation of railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

The Congress demanded that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw must resign, taking moral responsibility for the stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station in which 18 people died. Addressing a press conference here, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said if Vaishnaw does not resign, he should be sacked for the "mismanagement" at the railway station. She said railway officials were well aware of how many people were entering the station and as many as 1500 tickets were being sold every hour.

1:54 PM

It's a very sad situation, says Congress MP Tharoor on New Delhi railway station stampede

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Sunday expressed sadness over the stampede at the New Delhi railway station that killed 18 people. He called for stringent measures to prevent such incidents in the future. "It's a very sad situation. These are the kinds of human losses for which there is absolutely no compensation," Tharoor said. "We have seen an unknown number of deaths in the Kumbh Mela itself... Whenever we have an uncontrolled number of crowds, it seems that we are inviting such kinds of incidents. 

1:32 PM

Stampede at New Delhi station: J-K LG, CM Omar Abdullah condole loss of lives

Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday condoled the death of 18 people in a stampede at New Delhi Railway station. Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying for the early recovery of the injured," the Lt Governor said in a post shared by his office on X. In a separate post by the office of chief minister, Abdullah said "I am deeply saddened by the tragic stampede that occurred at New Delhi Railway Station today, resulting in the loss of at-least 18 lives and leaving many others injured.

1:25 PM

Nothing wrong with interfaith marriages, fraud alliances must stop: Maha CM Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said there was nothing wrong with interfaith marriages, but steps need to be taken against matrimonial alliances through fraud and false identity. Talking to reporters here, Fadnavis said the Supreme Court and Kerala High Court have made observations about the reality of "love jihad".

1:13 PM

Bank of Maharashtra receives RBI's approval for opening GIFT City branch

State-owned Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) on Sunday said it has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India to set up an International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) Banking Unit at GIFT City. The branch will function as Bank of Maharashtra's first international branch carrying out offshore banking operations from India.

12:50 PM

Hope such incidents do not repeat in future: MP CM expresses grief over NDLS stampede

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed his grief over the loss of lives in a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. He hoped that such incidents would not be repeated in the future. CM Mohan Yadav said, "This is a very sad incident which shook me. It is a lesson for all of us to use the means of transport carefully. Whether it is railways or buses, we need to keep ourselves safe. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken cognizance of the incident. I hope such incidents do not repeat in the future."

12:46 PM

Veteran Telugu actress Krishnaveni dies at 102 due to age-related issues

Veteran Telugu actress and producer C Krishnaveni died here on Sunday, Movie Artistes Association (MAA) Vice-President Madala Ravi said. She was 102 years old. Krishnaveni passed away due to age-related issues. She produced about a dozen movies including Bhisma and Daksha Yagnam, through her family-owned studio.

12:33 PM

4 killed, 6 injured as tempo-traveller hits bus in UP's Barabanki

Four persons, including a woman, were killed while six others were injured after a tempo-traveller hit a bus from behind on the Purvanchal Expressway in Barabanki district on Sunday, police said. The bus coming from Chhattisgarh and the tempo-traveller coming from Maharashtra were both headed to Ayodhya. All the deceased and injured were travelling in the tempo-traveller, police said.

12:29 PM

NDLS stampede: Deeply saddened by tragic loss of precious lives, says Odisha CM Majhi

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday said he was deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the stampede at New Delhi railway station, and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. At least 18 people were killed and more than a dozen injured in the stampede that broke out late Saturday night at the crowded railway station. Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of precious lives in the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured, Majhi said in a post on X.

12:10 PM

New Delhi Railway station stampede: Victims suffer lower limb, bone injuries

A majority of the victims who sustained injuries in the New Delhi Railway Station stampede have suffered lower limb injuries while others suffered from bone injuries, as per official sources. The injured admitted to the LNJP hospital in the national capital have been discharged by the doctors after primary treatment. A team of 15 doctors is currently taking care of the injured patients. The stampde on the New Delhi railway station occured when thousands of devotees were headed for the Maha Kumbh 2025.

12:03 PM

'We were handcuffed', claims deportee who arrived in second batch from US

Daljit Singh, who was among the deportees who reached Amritsar from the US on Saturday night, on Sunday claimed they were handcuffed with their legs chained during the journey. "Our legs were chained and hands were also cuffed," Singh told reporters in Hoshiarpur. Singh, a native of Kurala Kalan village in Punjab's Hoshiarpur district, was among 116 illegal Indian immigrants who were brought back in a US aircraft that landed at the Amritsar airport on Saturday night.

11:52 AM

Fire in Mumbai high-rise; woman killed, 3 others suffer from suffocation

A 42-year-old woman was killed and three other persons suffered from suffocation after a fire broke out in an 11-floor building in Mumbai on Sunday morning, a fire official said. The blaze erupted at 6.11 am at Panna Ali Mansion building, located in Masjid Bandar area in south Mumbai, he said. The fire was confined to the electric wiring and installations at a common meter box place and electric wiring in the common passage on the ground floor of the building, the official said. Two women in the common passage of the first floor sustained injuries to their hands and legs and also got suffocated due to smoke after the fire.

11:32 AM

NDLS stampede: CM Nitish announces ex gratia for kin of deceased from Bihar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday expressed grief over the deaths in a stampede at New Delhi railway station, and announced ex gratia for the kin of the deceased hailing from the eastern state. "The CM has expressed condolences over the casualties in the stampede at the New Delhi railway station. He is deeply saddened by the deaths of Bihar natives in the incident, and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the immediate family members of the deceased, and Rs 50,000 for those who are injured," a statement issued by the CMO said.

11:13 AM

Elon Musk-led DOGE cancels $22 million intended for 'voter turnout in India'

10:57 AM

NDLS stampede: Rahul Gandhi blames Railways for negligence, says better arrangements needed

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday expressed grief over the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, calling it "extremely sad and distressing." He extended condolences to the bereaved families and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured. In his X post, he wrote, "The news of several people dying and many getting injured due to the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station is extremely sad and distressing. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured."