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10:09 PM

"Indian leadership has unhealthy obsession with Pakistan," claims Islamabad

10:08 PM

Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay & 3 others sent to judicial custody till April 19

He will be shifted to Karimnagar jail. We will be filing a contempt proceeding against the investigative officer for violating the SC guidelines. We are planning to challenge the order in HC tomorrow: Advocate Karuna Sagar, lawyer of Bandi Sanjay.

 

6:41 PM

Sudha Murty receives the Padma Bhushan from President Draupadi Murmu

6:16 PM

Late Samajwadi Party patron Mulayam Singh Yadav conferred the Padma Vibhushan (posthumously) by President

5:36 PM

CEC meeting regarding the upcoming Karnataka Assembly Elections is underway at the AICC office in Delhi

5:35 PM

Patiala Court grants eight days custody of gangster Deepak Boxer to Delhi Police's special cell

Patiala House Court grants eight days custody of gangster Deepak Boxer to Delhi Police's special cell. As per Delhi Police, notorious gangster Deepak Pahal alias Boxer, a resident of Haryana's Sonipat, was wanted in 10 criminal cases, including murder, attempted murder, and under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, among others. Apart from this, Boxer was also handling the Jitender Gogi gang after his death. Gogi was killed in an encounter by his rivals that occurred in the Rohini court and he was also in touch with the members of Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

2:51 PM

Temporary stay on show-cause notice to Anil Ambani under Black Money Act to continue: Bombay HC

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday continued till further orders an interim stay on show-cause notice and penalty demand issued to industrialist Anil Ambani by the Income Tax department under the Black Money Act.

A division bench of Justices Gautam Patel and Neela Gokhale posted Ambani's petition challenging the notice and penalty demand for hearing on April 28, and gave time to the IT department to file its reply.

The HC had in September 2022 granted an interim stay to the show-cause notice pending hearing.

2:21 PM

Dalits, OBCs, Muslims should beware of SP, says Mayawati

BSP supremo Mayawati on Wednesday said people from Dalit, OBC and Muslim communities should beware of the Samajwadi Party for it does the politics of caste and "anargal" issues instead of development and public interest.

Her statement came two days after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that 'Bahujan Samaj' is uniting with his party in a big way to safeguard its rights, the democracy and the Constitution drafted by B R Ambedkar.

Mentioning the SP-BSP alliance formed by party founder Kanshiram, Mayawati alleged that even after becoming the chief minister, Mulayam Singh Yadav's intentions were not pure and instead were that of defaming BSP and continuing Dalit oppression.

2:08 PM

Delhi Police deny permission for procession in Jahangirpuri on Hanuman Jayanti

The Delhi Police on Wednesday denied permission to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and another group to undertake processions in the Jahangirpuri area of the national capital on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti on April 6.

Delhi Police told ANI that VHP and another group had sought permission to take out processions for Hanuman Jayanti but keeping in view the law and order situation, organisers were denied permission.

2:05 PM

Bommai threatens retaliatory measure if Maha does not withdraw its health insurance scheme in State villages

Terming the Maharashtra government's order extending benefits of its healthcare scheme to 865 villages in Karnataka, amid the ongoing border dispute between two states, as an act that threatens the federal system, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday warned of retaliatory measure if it was not withdrawn.

Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Assembly Siddaramaiah said, Maharashtra's move cannot be tolerated. "The consequences will not be right if it is not withdrawn immediately."

1:53 PM

Expert panel suggests translocating tusker to Parambikulam tiger reserve

A Kerala high-court-appointed expert committee tasked with deciding the fate of the rice-eating tusker 'Arikkomban' on Wednesday suggested in the court that the elephant be translocated to the Parambikulam tiger reserve in Palakkad district of the state.

The suggestion was made in a report filed in the high court by the committee after it visited, on Monday, several areas of Idukki district that have been affected by the activities of the tusker and heard the grievances of the locals.

1:39 PM

Mizoram: Govt school students to wear common uniform

For the first time, students of state-run schools in Mizoram started wearing a common uniform with the new academic session beginning on Wednesday, a senior official of the school education department said.

Specifications for the common uniform had been notified separately for primary, middle, high school and higher secondary schools, director of the school education department, Lalsangliana said.

1:37 PM

Strengthen YSR Congress for polls: Jagan tells party's regional coordinators

YSR Congress chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has urged the party cadres to work towards strengthening the party ahead of the state assembly elections and Lok Sabha polls, due in one year.

He made these remarks at his camp office while addressing party regional coordinators and MLAs, calling on them to strengthen their respective units by working in unison and removing flaws to enable the ruling party candidates to win the polls with good majority.

1:23 PM

ITBP officer killed in accident during LAC patrol in Ladakh

A 33-year-old Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) officer, who was leading a patrol along the India-China LAC in Ladakh, was killed after falling into a deep gorge, officials said.

Assistant Commandant Tikam Singh Negi was killed in the line of duty in the Ladakh sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on April 2.

1:15 PM

Parliamentary delegation from South Sudan calls on President Murmu

A parliamentary delegation from South Sudan, led by the Speaker of the Transitional National Assembly, Jemma Nunu Kumba, on Wednesday called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Welcoming the delegation to India, the President said India and South Sudan enjoy cordial and friendly relations. She said India is proud to be a major troop contributor to the UN Peace keeping Missions in South Sudan, read a release from Rashtrapati Bhavan.

1:02 PM

To counter DMK's 1 crore membership drive, AIADMK directs cadres to enroll 2 crore members

The AIADMK on Wednesday exhorted its cadres to enroll 2 crore members, two days after the DMK senior leader and Tamil Nadu Waterworks Minister S. Duraimurugan commenced drive for enrolling 1 crore new members.

The two Dravidian majors are in for a new membership drive keeping in mind the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and to rejuvenate cadres at the grassroots level.

AIADMK general secretary and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) inaugurated a camp for new membership drive at the party headquarters.

12:56 PM

MP govt to set up 730 PM SHRI schools for quality education to children

The Madhya Pradesh government will set up 730 PM SHRI Schools in the state to impart quality education to students from Classes 1 to 12 under the central government's scheme, an official said on Wednesday.

The state cabinet on Tuesday gave nod for setting up these schools in the state, including two each in 313 blocks and 104 in 52 district urban bodies.

The cost of the PM SHRI schools will be borne by the central and state governments in 60:40 ratio.

12:41 PM

Unhappy with govt reply on Assam Accord, Cong stages walkout in assembly

The Congress on Wednesday staged a walkout in the Assam Assembly, expressing dissatisfaction over the government's reply on implementation of the Assam Accord.

Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia had put forth the question about the progress of implementation of the Accord, which was signed in August 1985 after an anti-foreigner movement.

Saikia wanted to know the year for determination of illegal immigrants in the state, pointing that the Accord specified the deadline as March 25, 1971, while the Citizenship (Amendment) Act sets it for December 31, 2014.

12:34 PM

Unveiling of Ambedkar's 125-ft statue in Hyderabad to be grand affair

The unveiling of 125-foot statue of Dr B. R. Ambedkar in Hyderabad on his birth anniversary on April 14 will be a grand affair.

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will unveil the tallest bronze statue of Ambedkar near Hussain Sagar lake in the heart of the city in the presence of thousands of people who will be mobilized from across the state.

The state government has invited Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar as the chief guest for the unveiling ceremony.

Flowers will be showered from a special helicopter on the statue during the unveiling to pay tribute to the architect of the Indian Constitution.

12:27 PM

Serious destruction of Parliament, says TMC MP Derek O'Brien over Parliament logjam

Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien on Wednesday hit out at the Centre over the stalemate in the Parliament and called it "serious destruction of Parliament".

Taking to Twitter, O'Brien said, "Serious, very serious destruction of Parliament happening. MPs from the ruling party shouting slogans, not allowing Parliament to run for a full Session."

Today also, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned minutes after resuming the session after a day's break amid opposition MPs raising slogans demanding a JPC probe on Adani stocks issue

12:21 PM

PIL in HC on 'unauthorised' construction in Sainik Farms area

A public interest litigation (PIL) came up for hearing before the Delhi High Court on Wednesday alleging unauthorised construction in South Delhi's Sainik Farms.

A bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad asked the petitioner as to how the court can pass order without hearing property owners.

The bench granted time to the petitioner to implead the owners of the properties, which according to him, have been constructed unauthorisedly and illegally.

12:18 PM

After Indore temple tragedy, MP govt orders survey of all stepwells and open borewells

Days after the stepwell roof collapse at a temple in Indore claimed 36 lives, the Madhya Pradesh government has ordered a state-wide survey of all the covered stepwells and open borewells within 30 days, an official said.

The district administrations have also been asked to completely fill such structures to prevent any untoward incident and loss of life, Madhya Pradesh's Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Rajesh Rajora said on Tuesday.

12:10 PM

Maharashtra stopped work on Virdi dam after Goa's objection: CM Sawant

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said Maharashtra has stopped its work on the proposed Virdi dam project, aimed to divert water from the Valvanti river in the Mhadei basin, after his government wrote to the neighbouring state to halt it.

The Maharashtra government will have to get a green signal from 'PRAWAH' (Mhadei Water Authority) for the construction of the dam, Sawant told PTI on Tuesday.

 

11:54 AM

Rescue operations underway in Sikkim to find tourists trapped in avalanche

The Indian Army, Border Road Organisation (BRO) and police were carrying out rescue and search operations near 15th Mile on Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg in Sikkim for the second day on Wednesday to find out if more tourists are trapped in the massive avalanche that killed seven people, an official said.

 

Seven tourists were killed and 13 others injured as a massive avalanche hit East Sikkim's Nathu La area on Tuesday morning, burying their vehicles under the snow. The avalanche hit the arterial Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, which connects state capital Gangtok to Nathu La at the China border, around 11.30 am, trapping five-six vehicles with about 30 people under the snow.

11:53 AM

Amid rising Covid cases, SC says willing to hear lawyers through video conferencing

Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud on Wednesday took note of the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the country and said the Supreme Court is willing to hear lawyers via video conferencing.

Referring to recent media reports, a bench comprising the CJI and Justice J B Pardiwala said the court is more than willing to permit lawyers to appear through the hybrid mode.

11:34 AM

Train services disrupted in Bengal over rail-blockade by Kurmis demanding ST status

Train services were disrupted in pockets of three tribal- dominated districts of West Bengal -- Bankura, Purulia and West Midnapore -- following rail-blockade agitation by the Kurmi community on Wednesday.

The Kurmi community is agitating in support of its long-standing demand for recognition under the Schedule Tribe category. Their main grievance is that West Bengal Cultural Research Institute, a state government body that works for indigenous tribes, is yet to recognise the Kurmis as representatives of primitive tribes.

11:25 AM

BJP national leadership for one-on-one meeting with AIADMK chief EPS

Even as the Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai was openly clamouring for fighting the 2024 elections single-handedly, the national leadership of the saffron party was cautious in responding to this.

While Annamalai, in a recent party meeting, even announced his resignation if the alliance with the AIADMK continues, the national leadership - read Union home minister Amit Shah - announced publicly that the BJP-AIADMK tie would continue.

Soon after the single bench of the Madras High Court gave the order in his favour on his election as party general secretary, Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) had announced that the alliance with the BJP would continue.

11:25 AM

Man arrested in Delhi for 'insulting' saffron flags

A person was arrested for allegedly insulting saffron flags placed along a street in northeast Delhi's Shastri Park area, police said on Wednesday.

On Tuesday around 9 pm, one Sagar (23), a resident of Shastri Park, came to the police station and reported that on the eve of Ram Navami, some small-sized, saffron-coloured religious flags were placed along an A Block street, Deputy Commissioner of Police (northeast) Joy Tirkey said.

Around 12.30 am, his neighbour Azim tore a few flags, trampled them and dumped them in a nearby drain, police said.

11:24 AM

Opposition leaders meet to coordinate strategy in Parliament

11:08 AM

Scindia attacks Rahul Gandhi, says Congress left with no ideology

Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia launched a sharp attack on Rahul Gandhi and the Congress on Wednesday, alleging the party has been left with no ideology except the one of a "traitor" which works against the country.

The BJP leader attacked the Congress for according Rahul Gandhi a "special treatment" following his conviction in a defamation case and accused the party of pressuring the judiciary, and doing everything possible to stay relevant.