Page 5 - Kolkata

'What can be done if a friend rapes friend?' TMC leader on Kolkata gangrape

TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee says if ex-students can re-enter campus and commit crimes, it suggests suspicious links and raises concerns over how such access was possible

Kolkata student gangrape: Row over perpetrators' links; NCW seeks probe

A woman was allegedly gang-raped at a Kolkata law college, sparking political outrage and protests. Three accused, including a TMC student leader, have been arrested. NCW demands urgent probe

Another shocking gang-rape case reported in Kolkata: Who are the accused?

Another shocking gang-rape case has emerged from Kolkata, nearly 10 months after a postgraduate trainee doctor was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in August 2024.

Kolkata gang rape, Boeing crash, Twitter killer executed, Jaishankar on fishermen rights, & more top

Three men, including a former student, were arrested for allegedly raping a 24-year-old woman inside a law college in Kolkata, police officials confirmed today.

RG Kar case: Court to decide on victim's parents' plea to visit crime site

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday left it to the trial court to decide on a plea by the parents of the murdered RG Kar Hospital doctor seeking permission to visit the crime scene. The parents, through their counsel Phiroze Edulji, requested permission to inspect the site of the occurrence of the crime, except the seminar room, where their daughter's body was found on August 9, 2024. Following nationwide outrage and protests in the wake of the on-duty doctor's rape and murder within the premises of the institute, the HC had transferred the case investigation from Kolkata Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Justice Tirthankar Ghosh, before whom the plea was moved, said since further investigation is being carried out by the CBI and the ACJM, Sealdah, is in seisin of the issues, no order can be passed without keeping the magistrate informed. Observing that the petitioner can approach the ACJM court with the prayer, Justice Ghosh directed that the ACJM will dispose o

Centre reviews HC order to resume MGNREGA in West Bengal from August 1

Kolkata High Court asks Centre to restart MGNREGA in West Bengal with safeguards against corruption, prompting review of legal and procedural steps

PE firm Blackstone acquires South City Mall in Kolkata for ₹3.2K cr

Real estate services firm Anarock was the sole transaction advisor to the deal

ITC completes acquisition of 24 Mantra Organic brand owner Sresta Natural

Multi-conglomerate ITC has completed the acquisition of Sresta Natural Bioproducts, which owns the '24 Mantra Organic brand' in an all-cash deal valued at Rs 472.50 crore. This will help ITC to expand its play in the fast-growing organic food products segment. The company has completed the acquisition of 100 per cent of the share capital of SNBPL on 13th June, 2025, ITC said in a regulatory filing. On the acquisition cost, ITC said it had an upfront consideration of Rs 400 crore on a cash-free debt-free basis and addition, consideration of up to Rs 72.50 crore, which is payable in the next 24 months. In April ITC had informed it had signed a share purchase agreement with Sresta Natural Bioproducts Private Limited (SNBPL) to acquire 100 per cent stake in the company. This acquisition is "in line with the strategy to augment the company's future-ready portfolio, the transaction is expected to fortify ITC's presence and market standing in the high-growth organic products segment in b

Gap between built up area & carpet area rises in apartment to 40%: Anarock

The difference between super-built-up area and carpet area in apartments has risen over the years with builders increasing average loading percentage to 40 per cent across major cities to provide common amenities, according to Anarock. The average loading percentage was 31 per cent in 2019, and the same has risen to 40 per cent in the January-March quarter of this year, which means flat owners are getting less livable space. In its report, real estate consultant Anarock said that in residential apartments, the average loading factor is the difference between the super-built-up area and carpet area. If the super built-up area is 1,300 square feet and the carpet area 1,000 sq ft, then the loading percentage is 30 per cent. Prashant Thakur, Regional Director & Head - Research & Advisory at ANAROCK Group, said, "While RERA now requires developers to mention the total carpet area provided to homebuyers, no law currently limits the loading factor in projects." "Q1 (January-March) ...

Coal India, Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Corp ink pact to develop rail infra

State-owned CIL on Thursday said it has entered into a pact with Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Corporation Ltd to develop rail infrastructure of the coal behemoth and its arms. The non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between both companies in Kolkata. "Coal India Ltd (CIL) and Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Corporation Limited have executed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 05.06.2025 at Kolkata with an intent of development of Rail Infrastructure of CIL and its subsidiaries," the maharatna firm said in a BSE filing. Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Corporation Ltd is a Joint Venture Company between 11 major ports under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, holding 90 per cent of equity capital and Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) under the Ministry of Railways, holding 10 per cent of equity capital. The JV was incorporated to provide efficient rail evacuation systems to major ports and to enhance their capacity and throughput. CIL accounts

NIA questions Kolkata travel agency owner in Pakistan espionage probe

Sleuths of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday questioned the owner of a Kolkata-based travel agency in connection with a Pakistan espionage case, an official said. Mohammed Masood Alam, owner of the travel agency, was questioned by the NIA about some suspicious money transactions made through his office on three occasions, he said. The central agency on Saturday conducted searches at the travel agency's office in Kidderpore area, apart from a hotel in Park Circus and a shop in the Alipore area of the city. "He was questioned regarding the three transactions made through his agency, especially the one made on April 3, 2024. His statements were recorded," he added. The NIA sleuths conducted the searches in connection with the arrest of CRPF personnel Moti Ram Jat in Delhi for his alleged links in leaking of classified information to Pakistani intelligence operatives in lieu of money, he said. "These raids were linked to the espionage case. We had seized a few document

Jailed influencer files plea in Kolkata court, says basic amenities denied

The petition also said the influencer is receiving multiple threats from other inmates inside the jail, causing her to fear for her safety and well-being

Legal procedures followed while arresting female influencer: Kolkata Police

Kolkata Police have dismissed criticisms that they have "unlawfully" arrested a 22-year-old female Instagram influencer for allegedly uploading a video with communal comments, and claimed that all legal procedures were followed. They defended the arrest of influencer Sharmistha Panoli saying that the case was "duly investigated and adhering to legal procedures". "Kolkata Police acted lawfully according to the procedure established by law. The accused was not arrested for expressing patriotism or for personal belief; legal actions were taken for sharing offensive content which promotes hatred among the communities," Kolkata Police posted on Facebook on Sunday. "The case was duly investigated and adhering to legal procedures, several attempts were made to serve notice u/s 35 of BNSS to the accused but every time she was found absconding," the Kolkata Police stated. "Consequently a warrant of arrest was issued by the competent court, following which she was apprehended lawfully from .

EC investigates Bengal BJP chief's wife for holding two voter IDs

The Election Commission (EC) has started an investigation into a complaint alleging that the wife of BJP's West Bengal president and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar possesses two voter identity cards, a senior official said on Friday. Initial probe found that the minister's wife, Koel Majumdar, holds two voter ID cards with different EPIC numbers one registered in Balurghat and another in Jalpaiguri. While one card was issued under her maiden name, Koel Chowdhury, the second was created after her marriage under the name Koel Majumdar. "This could have been avoided had she submitted Form 18. It is the responsibility of the cardholder to notify the EC of any changes. In this case, the commission was not informed," the official said. He further explained that a new voter card was issued in Balurghat after she submitted Form 6. "Because the EPIC numbers and surnames were different, the error was not immediately detected. We are now verifying the photographs and other personal details

Not opting out of Centre's diplomatic mission, clarifies WB CM Mamata

Reaffirming her party's support for the Union government on matters of external affairs, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on Monday said her party was not boycotting the Centre's multi-party diplomatic mission aimed at countering Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and would send its representatives once a formal request is received from the Centre. She stressed that the Centre should not decide which party sends whom as part of the delegation. "We were not contacted about this. Nowadays, they only inform the parliamentary party, not the main outfit. The parliamentary party cannot take policy decisions," the West Bengal Chief Minister said at Kolkata airport before leaving for north Bengal on a three-day official trip. "No request to send a representative's name for the outreach programme came to us. If it had, then of course we could have considered it. We are totally in favour of the country on matters of external affairs. Naming representatives for diplomatic multi-party delegations to count

BJP leader Dilip Ghosh's step-son found dead in New Town flat, probe on

Dilip Ghosh's step-son Srinjay Majumdar was found dead under mysterious circumstances in his New Town flat

IPL likely to resume on May 16 or 17, final could be moved out of Kolkata

Suspended due to the India-Pakistan military conflict, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to resume either on May 16 or 17 with the possibility of the final being moved out of Kolkata. The announcement of ceasefire on Saturday paved the way for resumption of the league that was suspended on May 9 for one week. The IPL Governing Council members and the BCCI officials discussed the resumption plan on Sunday. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla said the board is still working on creating a suitable schedule. "As of now there is no decision on IPL. BCCI officials are working out on the solutions. BCCI secretary, IPL Chairman are in talks with franchises and everyone, so very soon we will know about the decision, efforts are being made to resume the tournament early," said Shukla. An IPL source said the league will resume with the match between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Lucknow -- the game which was supposed to be played on May 9. "All the teams have be

Nationwide mock drills begin; Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata test crisis readiness

Sirens blared, crowds evacuated as India launched civil defence mock drills in 244 districts - Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi, and more simulate real-time emergency response

After Kolkata hotel fire, KMC orders closure of rooftop restaurants in city

Days after the Kolkata hotel fire that claimed the lives of 14 people, the KMC on Friday ordered the closure of all rooftop restaurants in the city. Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Mayor and Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim said all the rooftop restaurants will have to be shut down to ensure unhindered access to premises in case of an emergency. "A roof, being a common space, cannot be sold for commercial purposes," he said. Asked if the authorities will use force to shut down the rooftop restaurants in Kolkata immediately, Hakim said, "We are issuing notices to them for immediate closure of restaurants on rooftops and shifting such eateries to lower floors of a building or other places. If they fail to comply with the order, we will take appropriate steps." The mayor said a meeting among the municipal commissioner, fire brigade officials and police officers would be held soon to chalk out steps to prevent any recurrence of the April 29 fire inciden

Private sector a trusted partner in development: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

First facilitation centre for PM internship scheme launched in Kolkata