Page 5 - National News

Punjab orders major IPS cadre reshuffle, officers promoted across ranks

According to orders issued by the Department of Home Affairs, several senior officers have been transferred, while many have been promoted to higher ranks, including ADGP, IGP and DIG

SIR in MP: Voter list update reunites man with mother after 22 years

A man who left his home in Madhya Pradesh's Mandsaur district 22 years ago after his family opposed his marriage was reunited with his mother because of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, police said on Saturday. Police said it all started after Vinod, alias Vinod Gairi, who is settled in Rajasthan, tried to get his name included in the voters' list during the ongoing SIR exercise. An official said Gairi was asked to get the details of his parents' EPIC (Election Photo Identity Card) numbers as part of the process. He then reached out to the panchayat at his native place. After learning about the matter, Gairi's mother approached the police to trace her son. Under the direction of Mandsaur Superintendent of Police Vinod Kumar Meena, a team led by Nai Abadi police station in-charge sub-inspector Kuldeep Singh Rathore, was formed to track down Gairi, a police statement said. The MP police eventually traced Gairi to the Nagaur district of Rajasthan, where he has been

Our civilisational courage shines in Somnath: PM Modi at Swabhiman Parv

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday described Somnath as a symbol of "our civilisational courage" as he landed in the famous temple town to attend 'Somnath Swabhiman Parv' events. Starting his three-day visit to Gujarat, he witnessed a drone show and presided over a meeting of the Shree Somnath Trust as its chairman. "Feeling blessed to be in Somnath, a proud symbol of our civilisational courage. This visit comes during #SomnathSwabhimanParv, when the entire nation has come together to mark a thousand years since the first attack on the Somnath Temple in 1026. Grateful to the people for the warm welcome," the PM said in a post on X after his arrival. "In Somnath this evening, chaired a meeting of the Shree Somnath Trust. We reviewed various aspects relating to infrastructure upgradations in the temple complex and ways to make the pilgrimage to Somnath even more memorable," he wrote in another post after the meeting. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and deputy CM Harsh ..

Gulshan Kumar murder case convict serving life term dies of heart attack

A 60-year-old convict in the music mogul Gulshan Kumar murder case lodged in Harsul prison in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has died of a heart attack, an official said on Saturday. Mohammed Rauf Dawood Merchant, a resident of Amrut Nagar in Mumbra in neighbouring Thane district, was serving a life sentence at Harsul prison, some 350 kilometres from here, since 2002 after his conviction in the sensational case, he said. "On the morning of January 8, while offering namaz inside the prison barracks, Merchant had severe chest pain and fell unconscious. He was rushed to a government hospital where he died. The post mortem report put the cause of death as severe heart attack. His kin in Mumbra took possession of his body the same evening and performed the last rites," he informed. An accidental death case has been registered at Harsul police station, the official added. Gulshan Kumar, a cassette baron and among Bollywood's most prominent producers, was shot dead outside a ...

Election Commission directs micro-observers to report lapses during SIR

The Election Commission on Saturday instructed micro-observers deployed for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to closely monitor field-level activities and report any irregularities or deviations from prescribed procedures through designated channels, an official said. In an advisory, the poll body said micro-observers must function independently and objectively during the exercise, with strict adherence to transparency, accuracy and neutrality. "They have been directed to observe processes relating to verification, claims and objections, and ensure that instructions of the commission are followed in letter and spirit without any external influence," he said. The commission noted that the SIR is a crucial exercise aimed at producing error-free and inclusive electoral rolls, and any lapse at the grassroots level could undermine public confidence. "Observations submitted by micro-observers will serve as vital inputs for senior election authorities to assess the

Assam Cong sets up legal panel to track investigation in Zubeen Garg case

The Assam Congress on Saturday announced that it has constituted a committee of advocates to closely monitor the investigation and the judicial proceedings into the death case of singer Zubeen Garg. The opposition party made the decision, which was taken on Thursday, public a day after the state Cabinet approved a five-member team of special public prosecutors (PPs). "Hon'ble President, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) Shri Gaurav Gogoi has constituted a committee comprising the following senior Advocates to closely monitor the progress of the investigation and judicial proceedings in the death case of Late Zubeen Garg," the party's general secretary (organisation) Bipul Gogoi said in a statement. The members of the committee are Hafiz Rashid Ahmed Choudhury, Ram Prasad Sarmah, Dilip Choudhury, Hamidur Rahman, Hemanta Kalita and Rubi Gogoi. The state government has named Brojendra Mohan Chaudhuri as additional public prosecutor, and Kishor Dutta, Pranjal Dutta and Vikash Jam

Maha IPS officer tried to frame Fadnavis, Shinde, says former DGP's report

Former Maharashtra Director General of Police (DGP) Rashmi Shukla had recommended registration of an FIR against Sanjay Pandey, a former top cop, and two others over an alleged conspiracy to implicate Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde in a false case in 2016, sources said on Saturday. Reacting to the reports, BJP leaders demanded a thorough investigation to find out at whose instance Pandey, who was director general of police during the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government, was acting. Before she retired on January 3, Shukla submitted a report in this regard to the home department based on an inquiry conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), sources said. The report suggested that then DGP Sanjay Pandey, Deputy Commissioner of Police Laxmikant Patil and Assistant Commissioner of Police Sardar Patil were involved in a conspiracy to implicate Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis (who was then Leader of Opposition in the assembly) as well as current deputy CM Shinde

Delhi government raises Narela Education City budget to ₹1,300 crore

The Delhi government on Saturday announced a major push to develop Narela as a world-class education and innovation hub, with the project outlay for the proposed Narela Education City being increased from Rs 500 crore to Rs 1,300 crore, Education Minister Ashish Sood said. Addressing a press conference, Sood said the decision reflects the government's long-term vision for strengthening higher and technical education in the national capital. As part of the initiative, possession letters for land parcels measuring about 12.69 acres for Delhi Teachers' University and 22.43 acres for Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University were handed over at Raj Niwas in the presence of the lieutenant governor, he said. The move is expected to give concrete momentum to the project, he added. The minister said Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women (IGDTUW) had earlier been allotted 50 acres of land, and with the latest allocations, the government is moving steadily towards developing a .

CPI(M) leader says UDF with Jamaat-e-Islami support could 'destroy Kerala'

CPI(M) leader A K Balan on Saturday said if the Congress-led UDF comes to power in Kerala with the backing of the Jamaat-e-Islami, it will result in the "destruction of the state". Balan, at a press conference held here, said that he will keep repeating this warning again and again. The CPI(M) also held up a copy of the 'Quran' and said it talks about 'munafiks' who are "fake believers". "I am not that. I am a believer and a communist who is loyal to the workers," he said and added that if he is sent to jail for defamation over his remarks about the Jamaat-e-Islami, the first thing he would do is finish reading the Quran. He was speaking to reporters in the wake of a legal notice sent to him by the Jamaat-e-Islami and the vehement criticism against him by Leader of Opposition in the state assembly V D Satheesan over the CPI(M) veteran's remarks linking the UDF with the religious organisation. Satheesan had termed Balan's remarks as "dangerous and communal". The Jamaat-e-Islami, t

Odisha approves ₹55,783 cr projects, set to create over 14,500 jobs

The Odisha government on Thursday approved seven major industrial projects worth an investment of Rs 55,783 crore and having the potential to generate 14,507 jobs, an official said. The project proposals were approved at the High-Level Clearance Authority (HLCA) meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. "Through these investment clearances, we are focusing on making the state strong, Atmanirbhar and ready for Samruddha Odisha by 2036," he said. The approved projects span key sectors including steel, rare earth manufacturing, automobiles and auto-components, semiconductors, industrial gases, ferroalloys and power and renewable energy and are spread across districts such as Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Keonjhar and Khurda. In the steel sector, Saffron Resources Private Limited, (a JSW Group Company) leads the approvals with a mega investment of Rs 35,000 crore to establish a 6 MTPA steel plant in Dhenkanal. The project alone is expected to generate around 8,000 employment ...

Fix parole bond terms based on prisoner's financial status: Rajasthan HC

The Rajasthan High Court has ruled that the conditions of a bond should be determined after considering the financial status of the prisoner. In an order passed on Tuesday, the court said poverty is not a crime, while expressing strong displeasure over the mechanical attitude of authorities in demanding sureties from poor prisoners for release on parole. A bench of Justices Arun Monga and Farjand Ali issued new guidelines for granting parole in the future, while treating a letter from Khartaram, who is serving a life term in a murder case in the Jodhpur Central Jail since 2014, as a writ petition. On September 29, 2025, the District Parole Committee ordered Khartaram's release for the fourth time on regular parole for 40 days. However, it imposed a condition, requiring the submission of two sureties of Rs 25,000 each. As Khartaram could not fulfil the condition and was also unable to afford legal intervention, he appealed to the high court for relief through a postcard. This was no

Lunatic fringe protests won't define JNU: Vice-Chancellor Santishree Pandit

A "lunatic fringe" does not define the Jawaharlal Nehru University, Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit said on Thursday, two days after slogans were raised by a section of students against the prime minister and the Union home minister. Pandit said that "some slogans were raised two days ago," but the university "bounced back within 24 hours." "There are lunatics in every university, and these do not define the characteristics of this varsity," she said, addressing a conference on campus. "JNU stands as the most nationalistic university in the country," she added. The university is "normal and peaceful", and the varsity runs "various narratives," she said. "JNU is a brand. We are not limited to India; even New York's mayor has mentioned us," the VC said, adding, whatever is said in JNU has a "cosmic impact." On Monday night, a group of students raised slogans against Narendra Modi and Amit Shah on the JNU campus during a protest that was held hours after the Supreme Cour

Karnataka cabinet to challenge VBG RAM G Act in court, rejects rollout

The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday decided not to accept the VBG RAM G Act and to take up a legal battle against the repeal of MGNREGA. The cabinet also decided to go to the people's court' against repealing' of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and introducing Viksit BharatGuarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act (VBG RAM G Act) in its place. Briefing reporters about the cabinet decision, Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said, It is unanimously decided not to accept the (VB-G RAM G) Act and to challenge the same in the court of law. A cabinet note on the subject said the VBG RAM G is in violation of right to work and livelihood of the citizens as enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The Act tramples upon the legitimate rights of Panchayats as vested by the constitution and is against the spirit of the 73rd and 74th amendments to the Constitution. The bottom-up planning approach, as per local

Mumbai court drops case against Navneet Rana over caste certificate issue

A Mumbai court on Wednesday discharged BJP leader and former Member of Parliament (MP) Navneet Rana in a fake caste certificate case. Her discharge plea was allowed by Judicial Magistrate First Class (Mazgaon court) A A Kulkarni. A reasoned order was not available yet. However, the case against her father Harbhajansingh Kundless will continue as the court adjourned the matter to February 16 for framing of charges against him. Rana, who claims to belong to a Scheduled Caste, is a former Independent Lok Sabha MP from Amravati (2019-24) in eastern Maharashtra. She later joined the BJP. As per a complaint lodged at the Mulund police station in Mumbai, Rana and her father allegedly forged documents to obtain a caste certificate for her as the Amravati Lok Sabha seat, from where she contested, is reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates. The Bombay High Court in 2021 cancelled the caste certificate issued to Rana, saying it was obtained fraudulently using fabricated documents. However,

Haryana govt forms monitoring panel to fast-track development projects

The Haryana government has set up a high-level monitoring committee to speed up development projects and ensure timely execution, according to an official order issued on Monday. The committee will review the progress of projects every two weeks, while overall reviews will also be held at the chief minister's level, preferably once in two months. As per the order issued by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, the initiative aims to improve efficiency, accountability and timely delivery of development works across the state. The committee includes Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Saket Kumar, Officer on Special Duty to the CM Narender Pal Malik and Senior Consultant to the CM Karan Ahlawadi. Meanwhile, Chief Engineer (Public Health) Rajeev Batish will provide technical support. The panel will monitor timelines from administrative approval to award of work, examine delays in approvals, and review the time taken between award and start of projects, including required ..

PM Modi calls return of Piprahwa relics a moment of pride and reverence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the return of Piprahwa relics associated with Lord Buddha is a "moment of pride, reverence and cultural connect."Sharing the highlights of today's programme, the Prime Minister, in a post on X, wrote, "The return of the sacred Piprahwa relics associated with Bhagwan Buddha after over a century is a moment of pride, reverence and cultural connect. Here are the highlights from today's programme."Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics, titled "The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One," at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex in New Delhi.The exhibition marks a historic moment with the reunification of the Piprahwa gem relics of Lord Buddha, repatriated after 127 years. The display also features relics, gem relics, and reliquaries unearthed during the 1898 excavation and the subsequent 1971-1975 excavations at the Piprahwa site.Prime Minister Modi said that ...

Zubeen Garg death case: Four accused file bail pleas, hearing on Jan 17

Four accused in singer Zubeen Garg's death case filed bail petitions before the court on Saturday. The Kamrup (Metro) District and Sessions Court, which is hearing the case, fixed January 17 as the next date of hearing when the bail objection by the public prosecutor will be filed. The bail pleas were moved by Garg's band member Amritprava Mahanta, his cousin Sandipan Garg, a police officer, and his two personal security officers (PSOs), Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya. The singer-composer-actor had died on September 19 while swimming in the sea in Singapore, where he had gone to attend the Northeast Festival. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the CID, which is probing the case, has charged festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, the singer's secretary Siddhartha Sharma and his two band members, Shekharjyoti Goswami and Amritprava, with murder, and his cousin, who was accompanying him, with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The two PSOs were charged with criminal ...

Switch to LNG may save $1 billion spent on oil imports, says PNGRB

Regulator's study is based on a scenario where 10% of diesel vehicle owners opt for LNG

India Gate protest case: Delhi court grants bail to one of the accused

A Delhi court on Wednesday granted bail to one of the protesters arrested in connection with an agitation against air pollution at the India Gate on November 23, where slogans were allegedly raised in support of slain Maoist commander Madvi Hidma, saying he was not required for further investigation. Hearing the bail plea of Akshay E R, the court of District Judge Dharmendra Rana said, The applicant (Akshay) was arrested on November 23 and has been in continuous custody since then. It is submitted that the investigation is complete and thus no custodial detention of the applicant is required. The court noted that the co-accused in the case had been granted bail and that the accused had no past criminal antecedents. Considering the nature of the allegations, the period of incarceration, past criminal antecedents and on the ground of parity, the applicant is admitted to bail subject to furnishing of personal bond of Rs 50,000 with one surety of the like amount, the court said. The ..

Indore water contamination: After 7 deaths, minister promises action

The district administration said 149 patients were admitted to 27 hospitals across the city and are under observation