News highlights: Prashant Kishor says he will not contest Bihar assembly polls as candidate

Latest news updates, October 15: Catch all the latest news developments from across the world here

Ending a week-long impasse, the family of Haryana IPS officer Y Puran Kumar, who allegedly died by suicide on October 7, has consented to the post-mortem examination, a police official said on Wednesday.

 

The decision follows Chandigarh Police’s move to approach the court seeking directions to the family to identify the body and permit the autopsy. “The family has now agreed to the post-mortem, which will be conducted at PGIMER soon,” the official added.

 

Earlier, a local court had issued a notice to Kumar’s wife, IAS officer Amneet P Kumar, asking her to respond either personally or through counsel by October 15. The court had said that if no reply was filed, the application would be decided on merit.

 

Kumar, 52, allegedly shot himself on October 7. His family had initially refused consent for the autopsy, demanding action against Haryana officers named in his “final note”.

 

On Tuesday, the Haryana government sent Director General of Police Shatrujeet Kapur—one of those named in the note—on leave. Last week, Rohtak Superintendent of Police Narendra Bijarniya was transferred.

3:06 PM

Haryana IPS officer Y Puran Kumar to be cremated in Chandigarh today

The cremation of Haryana IPS officer Y Puran Kumar, who allegedly committed suicide on October 7, will take place around 4:00 pm on Wednesday.

3:02 PM

Vasai-Virar ex-civic chief's arrest in money laundering case 'illegal', says Bombay HC

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday held as "illegal" the arrest of Anil Pawar, former chief of the Vasai-Virar civic body in Maharashtra's Palghar, by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case, and ordered his release. A bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad said the ED did not have "tangible material" at the time of his arrest.

2:53 PM

Haryana CM visits family of Rohtak ASI who shot himself dead, promises action

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday visited the family of Assistant Sub-Inspector Sandeep Kumar, who allegedly died by suicide, and offered his condolences. Saini assured his family that appropriate action will be taken. ASI Sandeep Kumar, who was posted in the cyber cell in Rohtak, allegedly shot himself dead on Tuesday.

1:41 PM

Kejriwal, Atishi express grief on demise of Goa minister Ravi Naik

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and senior party leader Atishi condoled the death of Goa Agriculture Ministr Ravi Naik on Wednesday, and said he devoted four decades of his life for public service. Naik, 79, suffered cardiac arrest at his hometown, 30 km away from Panaji.

1:31 PM

Appeal Delhi-NCR residents to use only green firecrackers according to SC guidelines: Environment minister

Manufacturers should ensure that no prohibited firecrackers enter Delhi-NCR, says environment minister MS Sirsa.

1:24 PM

Cash, liquor, drugs worth Rs 34 crore seized in poll-going Bihar

Enforcement agencies have seized cash, drugs, liquor and freebies worth Rs 33.97 crore from poll-bound Bihar as part of efforts to prevent inducement of voters by political parties. The state goes to polls in two phases on November 6 and 11. Votes will be counted on November 14. The Election Commission said on Wednesday that since polls were announced on October 6, a total seizure of Rs 33.97 crore worth of cash, liquor, drugs and freebies has been made by different enforcement agencies.

12:45 PM

JD(U) releases first list of 57 candidates for Bihar polls

The Janata Dal (United) on Wednesday released its first list of 57 candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls. The list was unveiled after days of discussions within the party leadership over seat distribution as part of the NDA alliance.

11:44 AM

Cash, liquor, drugs worth Rs 34 crore seized in poll-going Bihar

Enforcement agencies have seized cash, drugs, liquor and freebies worth Rs 33.97 crore from poll-bound Bihar as part of efforts to prevent inducement of voters by political parties. The state goes to polls in two phases on November 6 and 11. Votes will be counted on November 14.

11:43 AM

NDA definitely on its way out; Nitish not to return as CM: Prashant Kishor

Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor on Wednesday donned the political strategist's hat to predict a certain defeat for the ruling NDA in Bihar, citing the inability of the BJP-led coalition to finalise seats and candidates. Kishor, who recently said the JD(U) would struggle to win even "25 seats" in the 243-strong assembly, claimed that the picture has only grown bleaker for the party headed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

9:31 AM

I will not contest Bihar assembly polls as candidate: Prashant Kishor

Jan Suraaj decided I should concentrate on organisational work and not contest, says Prashant Kishor.

9:21 AM

New York reports first locally transmitted chikungunya case

Health officials have confirmed the first locally acquired case of chikungunya virus in the United States in six years, marking a significant development in the tracking of mosquito-borne diseases. The New York State Department of Health announced Tuesday that a Nassau County resident on Long Island has tested positive for the virus. Officials emphasized that this represents the first domestic transmission of chikungunya since 2019.