An IndiGo aircraft enroute to Ahmedabad returned to the national capital on Saturday afternoon due to an issue with the landing gear, according to a source.
The plane, operating the flight 6E 129, landed safely at the Delhi airport at around 1440 hours. There were around 170 people onboard, the source said.
There was no immediate statement from IndiGo.
Beatroot News: Text-only
Aviation
IndiGo’s Ahmedabad-bound plane returns to Delhi airport due to glitch
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Boeing: Dead whistleblower warned of safety breaches
John Barnett , a former Boeing employee, who was found dead in March, reportedly accused the company of "countless" violations of US law in testimony given just before his death.
Barnett had alleged the firm tried to “eliminate” quality inspections at a plant that makes 787 planes. He had also received a formal legal deposition about his allegations from the plane manufacturer. The 62-year-old's death, just two days after his testimony, was from a "self-inflicted gunshot wound", officials said. Boeing says it was "saddened" by the death and claimed the issues he raised had been reviewed and addressed.
Barnett had alleged the firm tried to “eliminate” quality inspections at a plant that makes 787 planes. He had also received a formal legal deposition about his allegations from the plane manufacturer. The 62-year-old's death, just two days after his testimony, was from a "self-inflicted gunshot wound", officials said. Boeing says it was "saddened" by the death and claimed the issues he raised had been reviewed and addressed.
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City
Fire breaks out at residential building in Delhi, firefighter among 3 injured
A fire broke out at a residential building in Rohini, Delhi, on Saturday causing minor burn injuries to three people, including a firefighter, officials said.
Six fire tenders were rushed to Sector 14 after a call was received at 6.02 am, an official of the Delhi Fire Services said. “Two people received 10% injuries and a firefighter also got injured during the rescue operation, which continued for three hours," the official said.
All the injured were rushed to a nearby hospital. Further investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the fire, he added.
Six fire tenders were rushed to Sector 14 after a call was received at 6.02 am, an official of the Delhi Fire Services said. “Two people received 10% injuries and a firefighter also got injured during the rescue operation, which continued for three hours," the official said.
All the injured were rushed to a nearby hospital. Further investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the fire, he added.
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11 Nigerians held for drug trafficking; contraband worth Rs 1.61 crore seized
Police in Navi Mumbai arrested 11 Nigerian nationals on Saturday for allegedly running a drug racket and seized cocaine and other narcotic substances worth Rs 1.61 crore, an official said.
The arrest was made following a raid conducted on Friday, he added.
The police's Anti Human Trafficking Cell (AHTC) conducted the operation at a flat between 3 pm and 7 pm on Friday, based on a tip-off that some Nigerian nationals residing in Koprigaon in Navi Mumbai's Vashi were operating a drug racket. Eleven Nigerian nationals in the age group of 30 to 50 were nabbed during the operation and were formally placed under arrest in the wee hours of Saturday, the police official said.
The seized drugs, mostly cocaine, mephedrone, and MDMA, were worth Rs 1,61,00,000. Mobile phones and other equipment worth around Rs 25 lakh were also seized from the accused, he said.
A case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act was registered at the APMC police station in Vashi, the official said, adding that investigation was underway.
The arrest was made following a raid conducted on Friday, he added.
The police's Anti Human Trafficking Cell (AHTC) conducted the operation at a flat between 3 pm and 7 pm on Friday, based on a tip-off that some Nigerian nationals residing in Koprigaon in Navi Mumbai's Vashi were operating a drug racket. Eleven Nigerian nationals in the age group of 30 to 50 were nabbed during the operation and were formally placed under arrest in the wee hours of Saturday, the police official said.
The seized drugs, mostly cocaine, mephedrone, and MDMA, were worth Rs 1,61,00,000. Mobile phones and other equipment worth around Rs 25 lakh were also seized from the accused, he said.
A case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act was registered at the APMC police station in Vashi, the official said, adding that investigation was underway.
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Crime
MCOCA slapped against all six accused in firing outside Salman Khan’s home case
Mumbai police on Saturday invoked provisions of the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in the April 14 firing incident outside actor Salman Khan's home in Bandra in the metropolis, an official said.
MCOCA provisions have been invoked against alleged shooters Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21) as well as Sonu Kumar Chander Bishnoi (37) and Anuj Thapan (32), who are accused of supplying two firearms and bullets, and gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his brother Anmol Bishnoi, who are shown as wanted accused. Gupta and Pal, both residents of Bihar, were held from Kutch in Gujarat on April 16, while Sonu Bishnoi and Thapan were held from Punjab on April 25.
Anmol Bishnoi, who stays in Canada and travels to USA, had claimed responsibility for the firing through a Facebook post, though its IP address was traced to Portugal, as per police.
Lawrence Bishnoi, accused of several crimes, is currently lodged in a jail in Sabarmati in Gujarat.
MCOCA provisions have been invoked against alleged shooters Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21) as well as Sonu Kumar Chander Bishnoi (37) and Anuj Thapan (32), who are accused of supplying two firearms and bullets, and gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his brother Anmol Bishnoi, who are shown as wanted accused. Gupta and Pal, both residents of Bihar, were held from Kutch in Gujarat on April 16, while Sonu Bishnoi and Thapan were held from Punjab on April 25.
Anmol Bishnoi, who stays in Canada and travels to USA, had claimed responsibility for the firing through a Facebook post, though its IP address was traced to Portugal, as per police.
Lawrence Bishnoi, accused of several crimes, is currently lodged in a jail in Sabarmati in Gujarat.
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Education
Board exams twice a year from 2025: MoE asks CBSE to work out logistics
The Ministry of Education has requested the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to plan for conducting board exams twice a year from the 2025-26 academic session, according to sources.
The plan for a semester system has been ruled out, they added. The ministry and the CBSE will hold consultations with school principals next month to discuss the logistics of conducting board exams twice a year. The CBSE is currently working on the modalities of structuring the academic calendar to accommodate another set of board exams without impacting the undergraduate admission schedule.
The idea is to conduct two editions of the board exams at the end of the year from the 2025-26 academic session, but the modalities need to be worked out, sources added.
The plan for a semester system has been ruled out, they added. The ministry and the CBSE will hold consultations with school principals next month to discuss the logistics of conducting board exams twice a year. The CBSE is currently working on the modalities of structuring the academic calendar to accommodate another set of board exams without impacting the undergraduate admission schedule.
The idea is to conduct two editions of the board exams at the end of the year from the 2025-26 academic session, but the modalities need to be worked out, sources added.
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Election
Congress-led I.N.D.I.A bloc plans to have five PMs in five years if elected: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday targeted the Congress-led INDI alliance, saying it is mulling to have five prime ministers in five years if voted to power.
Addressing a rally at Kolhapur in western Maharashtra, Modi said the Opposition bloc cannot even reach a three-digit figure or "at the doorstep of forming a government, but has plans to have one prime minister every year if they get a chance". "In Karnataka, Congress has planned to rotate the post of the Chief Minister by handing it to the deputy chief minister after 2.5 years. They had this arrangement in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan as well," he said.
Modi said the Congress wants to extend the "Karnataka model wherein Muslims were inducted in the 27 per cent quota for OBCs", in the entire country.
"The Congress-led alliance has vowed to murder social justice," he said and accused the Congress of stooping low for appeasement and vote bank politics.
Addressing a rally at Kolhapur in western Maharashtra, Modi said the Opposition bloc cannot even reach a three-digit figure or "at the doorstep of forming a government, but has plans to have one prime minister every year if they get a chance". "In Karnataka, Congress has planned to rotate the post of the Chief Minister by handing it to the deputy chief minister after 2.5 years. They had this arrangement in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan as well," he said.
Modi said the Congress wants to extend the "Karnataka model wherein Muslims were inducted in the 27 per cent quota for OBCs", in the entire country.
"The Congress-led alliance has vowed to murder social justice," he said and accused the Congress of stooping low for appeasement and vote bank politics.
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Lawyer Ujjwal Nikam replaces Poonam Mahajan as BJP candidate from Mumbai North Central
The BJP on Saturday dropped incumbent Lok Sabha MP Poonam Mahajan as its candidate from the Mumbai North Central seat and named lawyer Ujjwal Deorao Nikam in her place.
Nikam is a well-known name in the legal circle and was a government counsel in the the Mumbai terror attack case. Mahajan, the daughter of late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, was elected from the constituency in 2014 and 2019. She is also a former president of the BJP's youth wing. Party leaders have claimed that the decision to drop her was based on organisational feedback.
Though indications had been there for some time that Mahajan would be dropped, it was the party's search for her replacement that took time, sources said. The Congress has fielded its city unit chief and Dharavi MLA Varsha Gaikwad from Mumbai North Central. Voting in Mumbai is scheduled to be held on May 20 in the fifth phase of the polls.
The BJP also named eight more candidates for the Odisha assembly polls, which will be held alongside the general elections.
Nikam is a well-known name in the legal circle and was a government counsel in the the Mumbai terror attack case. Mahajan, the daughter of late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, was elected from the constituency in 2014 and 2019. She is also a former president of the BJP's youth wing. Party leaders have claimed that the decision to drop her was based on organisational feedback.
Though indications had been there for some time that Mahajan would be dropped, it was the party's search for her replacement that took time, sources said. The Congress has fielded its city unit chief and Dharavi MLA Varsha Gaikwad from Mumbai North Central. Voting in Mumbai is scheduled to be held on May 20 in the fifth phase of the polls.
The BJP also named eight more candidates for the Odisha assembly polls, which will be held alongside the general elections.
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EC orders re-polling at one booth in Chamarajanagar Lok Sabha segment
The Election Commission said on Saturday that re-polling will be conducted at a polling station in Hanur which falls under Chamarajanagar Parliamentary Constituency in Karnataka.
In a letter addressed to the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer, the EC stated that on the basis of reports submitted by the Returning Officer and General Observer for Chamarajanagar Constituency and after taking all material circumstances into account, it declared that polling held at polling station number 146 under the Hanur Assembly Constituency on Friday to be void. The letter further stated that April 29 has been fixed as the date for a fresh poll at the polling station in accordance with the Commission's instructions. The polling will be held from 7 am to 6 pm.
The move comes after the Electronic Voting Machines were destroyed at the said polling station in Indiganatha village in Chamarajanagar district on Friday during a clash between two groups of people over whether to vote or not in the Lok Sabha elections.
In a letter addressed to the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer, the EC stated that on the basis of reports submitted by the Returning Officer and General Observer for Chamarajanagar Constituency and after taking all material circumstances into account, it declared that polling held at polling station number 146 under the Hanur Assembly Constituency on Friday to be void. The letter further stated that April 29 has been fixed as the date for a fresh poll at the polling station in accordance with the Commission's instructions. The polling will be held from 7 am to 6 pm.
The move comes after the Electronic Voting Machines were destroyed at the said polling station in Indiganatha village in Chamarajanagar district on Friday during a clash between two groups of people over whether to vote or not in the Lok Sabha elections.
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JNU to use National Eligibility Test score for PhD admissions
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has announced that it will accept the National Eligibility Test (NET) score instead of the National Testing Agency entrance test for admission to its Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes from the current academic year.
As part of the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020, University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided that the score of the NET can be used by Universities/ Higher Education Institutions for PhD admission in place of an entrance test, read a notice released by JNU on Saturday.
As part of the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020, University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided that the score of the NET can be used by Universities/ Higher Education Institutions for PhD admission in place of an entrance test, read a notice released by JNU on Saturday.
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BJP's OBC Morcha leader, Akali Dal's SC wing leader join AAP
A BJP OBC Morcha leader, an Akali Dal leader and NSUI's Punjab vice-president on Saturday here joined the AAP in the presence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann amid the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
Kuldeep Singh Shanty, secretary of BJP's other backward classes (OBC) Morcha, and Gurdarshan Lal, general secretary, scheduled castes (SC) wing (Doaba), Shiromani Akali Dal, were welcomed into the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) fold by Mann, according to a party statement. AAP's Jalandhar Lok Sabha candidate Pawan Kumar Tinu and senior party leader Rajwinder Kaur Thiara were present during their joining ceremony.
Mann said people from every section of Punjab are joining the AAP as they are impressed by the work of the AAP government in the last two years, accoeding to the statement. He further said the party will create history by winning all the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab.
Punjab vice president of the National Student Union of India (NSUI) Rahul Sharma, who also joined the AAP on the occasion, was inducted into the party by Mann in the presence of AAP's Punjab general secretary Jagroop Singh Sekhwan, the party said.
Kuldeep Singh Shanty, secretary of BJP's other backward classes (OBC) Morcha, and Gurdarshan Lal, general secretary, scheduled castes (SC) wing (Doaba), Shiromani Akali Dal, were welcomed into the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) fold by Mann, according to a party statement. AAP's Jalandhar Lok Sabha candidate Pawan Kumar Tinu and senior party leader Rajwinder Kaur Thiara were present during their joining ceremony.
Mann said people from every section of Punjab are joining the AAP as they are impressed by the work of the AAP government in the last two years, accoeding to the statement. He further said the party will create history by winning all the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab.
Punjab vice president of the National Student Union of India (NSUI) Rahul Sharma, who also joined the AAP on the occasion, was inducted into the party by Mann in the presence of AAP's Punjab general secretary Jagroop Singh Sekhwan, the party said.
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BJP opposed to ethos of Bengal: Abhishek
Senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday alleged that the BJP was opposed to the ethos of Bengal and called upon the people to reject the saffron party.
Addressing an election rally here in Birbhum district, the Trinamool Congress national general secretary alleged that the Narendra Modi government is yet to release money for the 100 days wages of the poor job card holders of the state. "Don't vote BJP. They are anti-Bengal. They don't hold in reverence luminaries like Swami Vivekananda, they smash the bust of Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar, they don't know where Rabindranath Tagore was born. People appointed by them try to evict prides of Bengal like economist Amartya Sen," Banerjee, the de-facto number two in TMC hierarchy, said.
He demanded, "Why haven't you (BJP) released any white paper on this (MGNREGA fund release). Why you are silent on our demand for a white paper which will contain details if any funds had been actually released for the lakhs of job card holders who had toiled hard for years for rural development projects and yet to get any single paisa from the Centre."
Addressing an election rally here in Birbhum district, the Trinamool Congress national general secretary alleged that the Narendra Modi government is yet to release money for the 100 days wages of the poor job card holders of the state. "Don't vote BJP. They are anti-Bengal. They don't hold in reverence luminaries like Swami Vivekananda, they smash the bust of Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar, they don't know where Rabindranath Tagore was born. People appointed by them try to evict prides of Bengal like economist Amartya Sen," Banerjee, the de-facto number two in TMC hierarchy, said.
He demanded, "Why haven't you (BJP) released any white paper on this (MGNREGA fund release). Why you are silent on our demand for a white paper which will contain details if any funds had been actually released for the lakhs of job card holders who had toiled hard for years for rural development projects and yet to get any single paisa from the Centre."
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76.24% turnout recorded in three LS seats of Chhattisgarh in Phase-II
Chhattisgarh's second phase Lok Sabha elections held in three constituencies, have recorded a total of 76.24% of the total voter turnout, an official said on Saturday.
In Rajnandgaon constituency, 77.42% voter turnout was recorded, while 75.02% was registered in Mahasamund and 76.23% in Kanker, Chief Electoral Officer Reena Babasaheb Kangale said.
In 2019 Lok Sabha elections, 74.95% voter turnout had been recorded in these three seats- Rajnandgaon (76.04%), Mahasamund (74.51%) and Kanker (74.27%). There were 6,567 polling booths set up in these constituencies, with 23 classified as vulnerable and 458 as critical.
The fate of 41 candidates, including former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel and former state home minister Tamradhwaj Sahu, was locked in EVMs across the three seats, where the main fight is between the Congress and BJP.
There are 11 Lok Sabha constituencies in Chhattisgarh, and the elections are being held in three phases. The third phase of the elections will take place on May 7, with seven seats going to polls in the state.
In Rajnandgaon constituency, 77.42% voter turnout was recorded, while 75.02% was registered in Mahasamund and 76.23% in Kanker, Chief Electoral Officer Reena Babasaheb Kangale said.
In 2019 Lok Sabha elections, 74.95% voter turnout had been recorded in these three seats- Rajnandgaon (76.04%), Mahasamund (74.51%) and Kanker (74.27%). There were 6,567 polling booths set up in these constituencies, with 23 classified as vulnerable and 458 as critical.
The fate of 41 candidates, including former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel and former state home minister Tamradhwaj Sahu, was locked in EVMs across the three seats, where the main fight is between the Congress and BJP.
There are 11 Lok Sabha constituencies in Chhattisgarh, and the elections are being held in three phases. The third phase of the elections will take place on May 7, with seven seats going to polls in the state.
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Congress seeks explanation from CPI( M) over Jayarajan's meeting with Javadekar
The controversy arising out of the charges levelled against LDF convener E P Jayarajan that he planned to join the BJP, refused to die down on Saturday with the Congress demanding that the CPI(M) leadership explain why he met BJP leader Prakash Javadekar.
Dismissing the allegations, the Left party said it was a ploy of the Congress party to hide its embarrassment over party leaders joining the BJP enmasse. Senior BJP leader Shoba Surendran had alleged that a middleman tried to help Jayarajan "who expressed interest to join the BJP". On the day of the election, Congress chief K Sudhakaran and Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, V D Satheesan had attacked the LDF convener saying there was a secret understanding between the BJP and the CPI(M).
Addressing reporters today, Satheesan said the CM had defended the meeting between Jayarajan and Javadekar. "Why would the LDF convener meet the BJP in charge of Kerala, Pakash Javadekar? What did they discuss? Did they discuss some business deal? Or an election deal? Is there any business between them?" he asked.
Satheesan also raised suspicion over whether Jayarajan was acting as a "bridge between the Chief Minister and the BJP" to settle the cases against Vijayan.
"Vijayan was defending Jayarajan's meeting with Javadekar. But, criticised his meeting with Nandakumar (power-broker)," Satheesan alleged. Meanwhile, Isaac told the media that the matter will be discussed in the appropriate party forum.
"The controversial matter will be definitely discussed in the appropriate party forum. The CM had mentioned the party stand. The rest will be discussed and decided in the party forum," Isaac added.
Dismissing the allegations, the Left party said it was a ploy of the Congress party to hide its embarrassment over party leaders joining the BJP enmasse. Senior BJP leader Shoba Surendran had alleged that a middleman tried to help Jayarajan "who expressed interest to join the BJP". On the day of the election, Congress chief K Sudhakaran and Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, V D Satheesan had attacked the LDF convener saying there was a secret understanding between the BJP and the CPI(M).
Addressing reporters today, Satheesan said the CM had defended the meeting between Jayarajan and Javadekar. "Why would the LDF convener meet the BJP in charge of Kerala, Pakash Javadekar? What did they discuss? Did they discuss some business deal? Or an election deal? Is there any business between them?" he asked.
Satheesan also raised suspicion over whether Jayarajan was acting as a "bridge between the Chief Minister and the BJP" to settle the cases against Vijayan.
"Vijayan was defending Jayarajan's meeting with Javadekar. But, criticised his meeting with Nandakumar (power-broker)," Satheesan alleged. Meanwhile, Isaac told the media that the matter will be discussed in the appropriate party forum.
"The controversial matter will be definitely discussed in the appropriate party forum. The CM had mentioned the party stand. The rest will be discussed and decided in the party forum," Isaac added.
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BJP will change Constitution if it returns to power, PM Modi a ‘mehengai’ man: Priyanka Gandhi
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Saturday claimed that the ruling BJP’s top leadership may be pretending to be in denial mode now, but the party will change the Constitution if it returns to power.
Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi over inflation, she called him a “mehengai” man. “BJP leaders and candidates are saying that they will change the Constitution. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi is denying it. This is their tactic,” she said at a public rally at Dharampur village of tribal-dominated Valsad district held in support of Congress candidate for ST-reserved Valsad Lok Sabha seat, Anant Patel.
“First, they will always deny what they want to do. But after coming to power, they will implement it. They want to change the Constitution to weaken the common people and deprive them of their rights given in our Constitution,” said the Congress leader. PM Modi enters the stage during elections like “Superman”, she said, asking people to remember him as a “mehengai (inflation)” man.“
BJP leaders project the prime minister as powerful and say that ‘chutki bajake ladai rukva dete hai (he can stop the war – Russia-Ukraine – with the snap of fingers)’. Then why is he unable to remove poverty just like that,” she asked.
Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi over inflation, she called him a “mehengai” man. “BJP leaders and candidates are saying that they will change the Constitution. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi is denying it. This is their tactic,” she said at a public rally at Dharampur village of tribal-dominated Valsad district held in support of Congress candidate for ST-reserved Valsad Lok Sabha seat, Anant Patel.
“First, they will always deny what they want to do. But after coming to power, they will implement it. They want to change the Constitution to weaken the common people and deprive them of their rights given in our Constitution,” said the Congress leader. PM Modi enters the stage during elections like “Superman”, she said, asking people to remember him as a “mehengai (inflation)” man.“
BJP leaders project the prime minister as powerful and say that ‘chutki bajake ladai rukva dete hai (he can stop the war – Russia-Ukraine – with the snap of fingers)’. Then why is he unable to remove poverty just like that,” she asked.
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BJP’s Ambala candidate faces farmers’ protest
A group of farmers on Saturday protested against the BJP’s Ambala candidate Banto Kataria during her Lok Sabha polls campaign in the Naggal village.
Aseem Goyal, the Ambala City MLA and the minister of state for transport, tried to placate the farmers but they continued to protest.
The protesters asked Kataria why the farmers marching towards Delhi to seek a legal guarantee on minimum support price for crops were not allowed to proceed to the national capital and press for their demands. Gurmeet Singh Majri, district president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Shaheed Bhagat Singh), and other protesters also asked why barricades were erected at the Shambhu border point and why force was used against the farmers marching to Delhi.
Majri said the farmers will continue to oppose BJP candidates in the villages.
Farmers have been holding protests against BJP candidates during their Lok Sabha polls campaigns to seek answers about their demands not being met.
Aseem Goyal, the Ambala City MLA and the minister of state for transport, tried to placate the farmers but they continued to protest.
The protesters asked Kataria why the farmers marching towards Delhi to seek a legal guarantee on minimum support price for crops were not allowed to proceed to the national capital and press for their demands. Gurmeet Singh Majri, district president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Shaheed Bhagat Singh), and other protesters also asked why barricades were erected at the Shambhu border point and why force was used against the farmers marching to Delhi.
Majri said the farmers will continue to oppose BJP candidates in the villages.
Farmers have been holding protests against BJP candidates during their Lok Sabha polls campaigns to seek answers about their demands not being met.
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PM indulging in ‘false propaganda’, BJP against reservation for SCs, STs, OBCs: Congress
The Congress on Saturday slammed as "false propaganda" Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'snatching quotas' remarks and alleged that it was the BJP that was against reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the reality is that since 1950, reservation in education and employment has been possible when there have been Congress prime ministers and Congress governments at the helm. In a video statement, Ramesh said, "The prime minister is repeatedly indulging in the false propaganda that the Congress is against the reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs and wants to snatch it away. This is absolutely false."
"The reality is that the provisions in the Constitution for reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were made because of B R Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and other Congress leaders. So, this was the contribution of the Congress," Ramesh said. He said in 1994 when P V Narasimha Rao was the prime minister, for the first time, 27% reservation for OBCs was given in employment in Central government and in 2006 when Manmohan Singh was the prime minister, 27% reservation was made in higher education institutions for OBCs.
"So, the reality is that since 1950, reservation in education and employment for SCs, STs and OBCs, has been possible when there have been Congress prime ministers and Congress governments," he said. A few months ago, when the women's reservation Bill was being debated, the Congress demanded that OBC women should also be given that reservation but the Central government did not accept it and the PM did not say anything about it, Ramesh said.
"A new law came into being in which there is no provision for OBC women. So the reality is that the BJP is against the reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs. It has been due to the guarantee of the Congress that the reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs in education and employment is still available," the Congress leader said.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the reality is that since 1950, reservation in education and employment has been possible when there have been Congress prime ministers and Congress governments at the helm. In a video statement, Ramesh said, "The prime minister is repeatedly indulging in the false propaganda that the Congress is against the reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs and wants to snatch it away. This is absolutely false."
"The reality is that the provisions in the Constitution for reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were made because of B R Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and other Congress leaders. So, this was the contribution of the Congress," Ramesh said. He said in 1994 when P V Narasimha Rao was the prime minister, for the first time, 27% reservation for OBCs was given in employment in Central government and in 2006 when Manmohan Singh was the prime minister, 27% reservation was made in higher education institutions for OBCs.
"So, the reality is that since 1950, reservation in education and employment for SCs, STs and OBCs, has been possible when there have been Congress prime ministers and Congress governments," he said. A few months ago, when the women's reservation Bill was being debated, the Congress demanded that OBC women should also be given that reservation but the Central government did not accept it and the PM did not say anything about it, Ramesh said.
"A new law came into being in which there is no provision for OBC women. So the reality is that the BJP is against the reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs. It has been due to the guarantee of the Congress that the reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs in education and employment is still available," the Congress leader said.
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Lok Sabha polls: Revised voting percentage at 59.63 in eight Maharashtra seats
The Election Commission on Saturday said the revised turnout in eight Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra where polls were held a day earlier was 59.63%.
As per official figures available on EC's Voter Turnout app, it was 62.65% in Wardha, 58.09% in Akola, 60.74% in Amravati, 58.45% in Buldhana, 60.79% in Hingoli, 59.57% in Nanded, 60.09% in Parbhani and 57% in Yavatmal-Washim. Late Friday night, the approximate voting figure was 56.42%, though officials had said it would be revised since data from several centres was still arriving.
Voting was held between 7 am and 6 pm in Akola, Amravati, Buldhana, Wardha and Yavatmal-Washim seats in Vidarbha (eastern Maharashtra) and Hingoli, Nanded and Parbhani constituencies in the central Marathwada region on Friday.
As per official figures available on EC's Voter Turnout app, it was 62.65% in Wardha, 58.09% in Akola, 60.74% in Amravati, 58.45% in Buldhana, 60.79% in Hingoli, 59.57% in Nanded, 60.09% in Parbhani and 57% in Yavatmal-Washim. Late Friday night, the approximate voting figure was 56.42%, though officials had said it would be revised since data from several centres was still arriving.
Voting was held between 7 am and 6 pm in Akola, Amravati, Buldhana, Wardha and Yavatmal-Washim seats in Vidarbha (eastern Maharashtra) and Hingoli, Nanded and Parbhani constituencies in the central Marathwada region on Friday.
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YSRCP poll manifesto promises to make Vizag as executive capital
YSRCP chief Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Saturday released the party manifesto for the coming elections and promised to gradually hike welfare pensions from Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,500 per month and govern the state from Visakhapatnam.
Assembly elections will be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls in Andhra Pradesh on May 13.
“Immediately after YSRCP forms the government in 2024, Visakhapatnam will be made the executive capital as the seat of the government. It will be developed as the growth engine for the state,” said Reddy, addressing a press conference. Further, he vowed that Amaravati will be developed as the legislative capital and Kurnool as the judicial capital.
Continuing almost all the schemes introduced in the past five years, Reddy has also raised the financial outlay for some schemes such as Amma Vodi, which has been hiked from Rs 15,000 per annum to Rs 17,000.
Amma Vodi is a financial aid scheme for mothers who send their children to school.
Assembly elections will be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls in Andhra Pradesh on May 13.
“Immediately after YSRCP forms the government in 2024, Visakhapatnam will be made the executive capital as the seat of the government. It will be developed as the growth engine for the state,” said Reddy, addressing a press conference. Further, he vowed that Amaravati will be developed as the legislative capital and Kurnool as the judicial capital.
Continuing almost all the schemes introduced in the past five years, Reddy has also raised the financial outlay for some schemes such as Amma Vodi, which has been hiked from Rs 15,000 per annum to Rs 17,000.
Amma Vodi is a financial aid scheme for mothers who send their children to school.
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Mamata Banerjee loses balance while boarding helicopter
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lost her balance and fell while boarding a helicopter in Durgapur in Paschim Bardhaman district on Saturday afternoon. She was on the way to Kulti for an election rally when the incident happened.
“The CM fell inside the helicopter after losing her balance while she was trying to sit. She is fine,” a senior officer, who was accompanying Banerjee, told PTI.
Following the incident, she flew to Kulti and addressed a rally in support of TMC’s Asansol candidate Shatrughan Sinha.
“The CM fell inside the helicopter after losing her balance while she was trying to sit. She is fine,” a senior officer, who was accompanying Banerjee, told PTI.
Following the incident, she flew to Kulti and addressed a rally in support of TMC’s Asansol candidate Shatrughan Sinha.
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AAP ‘war room’ for Lok Sabha polls in Delhi inaugurated
The Aam Aadmi Party’s “war room” for the Lok Sabha polls in Delhi was inaugurated by senior party leader Gopal Rai on Saturday.
The party has fielded candidates on four of the seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital while its I.N.D.I.A bloc partner Congress is contesting three. The constituencies will go to polls on May 25, the sixth round of the seven-phase elections. The “war room”, located at the AAP headquarters on DDU Marg, will have 12 teams for different purposes, Rai, who is the convener of the party’s Delhi unit, said.
While the AAP is contesting from East Delhi, South Delhi, West Delhi and New Delhi, the Congress from North East Delhi, North West Delhi and Chandni Chowk. In-charges have been appointed for the four constituencies and they will ensure that the AAP’s poll campaigns are run in an organised manner, he said.
Dedicated teams for logistics, campaign management, legal works, data management and analysis, and media and social media among others will ensure smooth and organised campaigning in the four seats being contested by the party, Rai said.
On incarcerated AAP supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s wife Sunita Kejriwal’s maiden roadshow in support of East Delhi candidate Kuldeep Kumar in the evening, Rai said with the event, the party’s Lok Sabha campaign ‘Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se’ will enter its third phase. In the first two phases of the ‘Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se’ campaign, door-to-door outreach was done in the four constituencies and "Sankalp Sabhas" were held against the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate last month in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy.
There is anger against the BJP and "this election is being fought by the people of Delhi", Rai said.
The nominations for the polls for the seats in Delhi will begin from April 29.
The party has fielded candidates on four of the seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital while its I.N.D.I.A bloc partner Congress is contesting three. The constituencies will go to polls on May 25, the sixth round of the seven-phase elections. The “war room”, located at the AAP headquarters on DDU Marg, will have 12 teams for different purposes, Rai, who is the convener of the party’s Delhi unit, said.
While the AAP is contesting from East Delhi, South Delhi, West Delhi and New Delhi, the Congress from North East Delhi, North West Delhi and Chandni Chowk. In-charges have been appointed for the four constituencies and they will ensure that the AAP’s poll campaigns are run in an organised manner, he said.
Dedicated teams for logistics, campaign management, legal works, data management and analysis, and media and social media among others will ensure smooth and organised campaigning in the four seats being contested by the party, Rai said.
On incarcerated AAP supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s wife Sunita Kejriwal’s maiden roadshow in support of East Delhi candidate Kuldeep Kumar in the evening, Rai said with the event, the party’s Lok Sabha campaign ‘Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se’ will enter its third phase. In the first two phases of the ‘Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se’ campaign, door-to-door outreach was done in the four constituencies and "Sankalp Sabhas" were held against the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate last month in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy.
There is anger against the BJP and "this election is being fought by the people of Delhi", Rai said.
The nominations for the polls for the seats in Delhi will begin from April 29.
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Wait for few more days: Kharge on Congress candidates for Amethi, Rae Bareli
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said that the names of party candidates for prestigious Amethi and Rae Bareli seats in Uttar Pradesh will be announced in a "few days".
Addressing a press conference, he claimed that though the BJP says the corrupt must be put in jails, when leaders facing corruption charges join the saffron party, they are "put on the lap" and sent to Rajya Sabha or assembly. "You have to wait for a few more days... when the names of candidates come from people to me and I sign the notification, it will be announced," he said when asked about candidates for Amethi and Rae Bareli Lok Sabha constituencies.
"Those questioning Congress leaders for changing constituencies must also tell me how many times have (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee and (Lal Krishna) Advani changed their seats," Kharge said, when asked about the BJP criticising Rahul Gandhi for fighting the elections from Kerala's Wayanad instead of Amethi. In an apparent reference to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Kharge claimed that Congress is not affected by people who "grew up in the party and left it later".
"Congress is like a flowing river, it is not affected by a few persons leaving it," he asserted.
Addressing a press conference, he claimed that though the BJP says the corrupt must be put in jails, when leaders facing corruption charges join the saffron party, they are "put on the lap" and sent to Rajya Sabha or assembly. "You have to wait for a few more days... when the names of candidates come from people to me and I sign the notification, it will be announced," he said when asked about candidates for Amethi and Rae Bareli Lok Sabha constituencies.
"Those questioning Congress leaders for changing constituencies must also tell me how many times have (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee and (Lal Krishna) Advani changed their seats," Kharge said, when asked about the BJP criticising Rahul Gandhi for fighting the elections from Kerala's Wayanad instead of Amethi. In an apparent reference to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Kharge claimed that Congress is not affected by people who "grew up in the party and left it later".
"Congress is like a flowing river, it is not affected by a few persons leaving it," he asserted.
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What’s behind the lower voter turnout in the Lok Sabha elections?
Two out of seven phases of the ongoing elections ended on Friday with 189 out of 543 seats having gone to polls.
With the two phases, voting was over in Kerala, Rajasthan, Tripura, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mizoram, Nagaland, Puducherry, Sikkim and Lakshadweep besides select seats in many others states. Phase 1 saw 65.5% of registered voters show up down from the 70% in 2019 according to ‘The Indian Express’. While phase 2 saw 64.2% of registered voters show up down from 69.64% in 2019.
Election officials said the highest voting percentage during the second phase was recorded in Tripura which registered 77.53% polling till 5 pm, while the lowest turnout was in Uttar Pradesh at 52.74%. Why is the voter turnout dipping?
- The most obvious reason is the unseasonably hot weather, and weddings in some parts of the country
- Analysts also say there is no single issue strong enough to pull voters out this time
- Some others point towards complacency or overconfidence amongst the committed voter base of the BJP who are viewing the election as a done deal - Conversely this could have also led to less enthusiasm amongst Opposition voters
- Moreover, the fact that many offices declared a holiday for the polls on Friday has meant many people were seen leaving the cities for a short getaway.
With the two phases, voting was over in Kerala, Rajasthan, Tripura, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mizoram, Nagaland, Puducherry, Sikkim and Lakshadweep besides select seats in many others states. Phase 1 saw 65.5% of registered voters show up down from the 70% in 2019 according to ‘The Indian Express’. While phase 2 saw 64.2% of registered voters show up down from 69.64% in 2019.
Election officials said the highest voting percentage during the second phase was recorded in Tripura which registered 77.53% polling till 5 pm, while the lowest turnout was in Uttar Pradesh at 52.74%. Why is the voter turnout dipping?
- The most obvious reason is the unseasonably hot weather, and weddings in some parts of the country
- Analysts also say there is no single issue strong enough to pull voters out this time
- Some others point towards complacency or overconfidence amongst the committed voter base of the BJP who are viewing the election as a done deal - Conversely this could have also led to less enthusiasm amongst Opposition voters
- Moreover, the fact that many offices declared a holiday for the polls on Friday has meant many people were seen leaving the cities for a short getaway.
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Trinamool Congress lodges complaint with West Bengal CEO against CBI Sandeshkhali raid
Trinamool Congress has lodged a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal stating that the CBI had “deliberately carried out” raid at an “empty location” at Sandeshkhali during the second phase of polling in the state.
The TMC said that while elections were going on at Darjeeling, Raiganj and Balurghat Lok Sabha constituencies on Friday, the Central agency carried out an “unscrupulous” raid at an empty location at Sandeshkhali. The CBI on Friday seized arms and ammunition, including a police service revolver and foreign-made firearms, during searches at two premises of an associate of now-suspended TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali.
The searches were conducted in connection with the January attack on an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team by a mob that was allegedly instigated by Sheikh, who was arrested by the West Bengal Police on February 29 in the case.
The TMC said that while elections were going on at Darjeeling, Raiganj and Balurghat Lok Sabha constituencies on Friday, the Central agency carried out an “unscrupulous” raid at an empty location at Sandeshkhali. The CBI on Friday seized arms and ammunition, including a police service revolver and foreign-made firearms, during searches at two premises of an associate of now-suspended TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali.
The searches were conducted in connection with the January attack on an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team by a mob that was allegedly instigated by Sheikh, who was arrested by the West Bengal Police on February 29 in the case.
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Congress accuses CPI(M) of hijacking poll machinery to bring down polling percentage
Kerala Congress on Saturday accused the ruling CPI(M) of hijacking election machinery to allegedly reduce voter turnout in the 20 Lok Sabha seats in the state.
AICC general secretary K C Venugopal claimed that glitches in electronic voting machines (EVMs) in three to five percent of polling booths led to long delays and discomfort for voters.
Venugopal claimed that 90% of these glitches occurred in booths where the UDF was strong. "It was a polling process that harassed voters as no drinking water, sitting or lighting facilities were available in the booths where people waited for hours to vote due to the EVM glitches.
"The election machinery was completely hijacked by the CPI(M) with the aim of bringing down the polling percentage," he alleged. The Congress will conduct an analysis of the polling process in the state and initiate legal steps based on the outcome, he said.
Despite heightened political fervour and anticipation about the general elections for the 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala, the process concluded with a notable decrease in voter turnout, as the figure stood at 70.22 per cent at 8pm on Friday.
AICC general secretary K C Venugopal claimed that glitches in electronic voting machines (EVMs) in three to five percent of polling booths led to long delays and discomfort for voters.
Venugopal claimed that 90% of these glitches occurred in booths where the UDF was strong. "It was a polling process that harassed voters as no drinking water, sitting or lighting facilities were available in the booths where people waited for hours to vote due to the EVM glitches.
"The election machinery was completely hijacked by the CPI(M) with the aim of bringing down the polling percentage," he alleged. The Congress will conduct an analysis of the polling process in the state and initiate legal steps based on the outcome, he said.
Despite heightened political fervour and anticipation about the general elections for the 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala, the process concluded with a notable decrease in voter turnout, as the figure stood at 70.22 per cent at 8pm on Friday.
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In a first, this poll will see Uddhav Thackeray vote for Congress
Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray will, perhaps for the first time, vote for the Congress, his political foe-turned-friend, a reflection of the churning Maharashtra polity has undergone since 2019, a year which saw realignment of parties.
The Congress, part of the opposition bloc, on Thursday fielded its city unit president Varsha Gaikwad from the Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha seat, which covers the area where Thackeray is registered as a voter. The former CM's residence, Matoshree, is in Vandre (Bandra) East assembly constituency, which falls under the Mumbai North Central seat.
"I am going to vote for Varsha Gaikwad as she is contesting from here (Mumbai North Central)," Thackeray told reporters on Friday. Under the seat-sharing formula worked out between the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies, the Congress will contest on two Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai, including North Central, and the Shiv Sena (UBT on four.
The undivided Shiv Sena and the Congress were bitter political and ideological rivals until they came together to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance with the united Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in 2019 to keep the BJP out of power in Maharashtra. However, their coalition government collapsed in June 2022 following a revolt in the Shiv Sena.
The Congress, part of the opposition bloc, on Thursday fielded its city unit president Varsha Gaikwad from the Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha seat, which covers the area where Thackeray is registered as a voter. The former CM's residence, Matoshree, is in Vandre (Bandra) East assembly constituency, which falls under the Mumbai North Central seat.
"I am going to vote for Varsha Gaikwad as she is contesting from here (Mumbai North Central)," Thackeray told reporters on Friday. Under the seat-sharing formula worked out between the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies, the Congress will contest on two Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai, including North Central, and the Shiv Sena (UBT on four.
The undivided Shiv Sena and the Congress were bitter political and ideological rivals until they came together to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance with the united Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in 2019 to keep the BJP out of power in Maharashtra. However, their coalition government collapsed in June 2022 following a revolt in the Shiv Sena.
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Stray cattle menace key poll issue for farmers in western UP
"When I come to work in the fields in the morning, stray cattle are standing there, ready to attack. I was once hit on the back and was hospitalised for a week," says Keshav Kumar, a farm worker in Pilkhana village in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras.
Besides, he said, he has been chased by cows and Nilgai multiple times. Dharmendra Singh, a farmer, in Firozabad's Akilabad village, says, "I lost 30% of my produce due to stray cattle entering my field. There is drought, unseasonal rain and now this stray cattle menace. What are we supposed to do?"
Instances like these are not uncommon in western Uttar Pradesh and encapsulate the stray cattle menace that farmers have been struggling with for several years now. The problem, exacerbated by recent policy changes, has emerged as a major issue in western Uttar Pradesh in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
The importance of the issue can be gauged from the fact that it is the sole deciding factor for some.
Besides, he said, he has been chased by cows and Nilgai multiple times. Dharmendra Singh, a farmer, in Firozabad's Akilabad village, says, "I lost 30% of my produce due to stray cattle entering my field. There is drought, unseasonal rain and now this stray cattle menace. What are we supposed to do?"
Instances like these are not uncommon in western Uttar Pradesh and encapsulate the stray cattle menace that farmers have been struggling with for several years now. The problem, exacerbated by recent policy changes, has emerged as a major issue in western Uttar Pradesh in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
The importance of the issue can be gauged from the fact that it is the sole deciding factor for some.
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LDF slams BJP candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar for not casting vote
The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala on Friday came out against union minister and BJP candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar for not casting his vote during the Lok Sabha polls, saying that his action was an insult to democracy.
Earlier in the day, Chandrasekhar, who seeks his electoral luck from Thiruvananthapuram constituency, said he did not go to Karnataka to exercise his franchise as the seat he is contesting from was his top priority.
"I didn't go to cast vote. This is my top priority. It is my duty to be present here on the election day," he told reporters. The BJP leader further said he didn't get time to transfer his vote to Thiruvananthapuram and would surely take necessary steps to exercise the franchise in the constituency in future elections.
Both the CPI(M) and CPI, the major coalition partners in the LDF, slammed Chandrasekhar and said exercising franchise is not only a person's fundamental right but also a responsibility of every citizen.
Earlier in the day, Chandrasekhar, who seeks his electoral luck from Thiruvananthapuram constituency, said he did not go to Karnataka to exercise his franchise as the seat he is contesting from was his top priority.
"I didn't go to cast vote. This is my top priority. It is my duty to be present here on the election day," he told reporters. The BJP leader further said he didn't get time to transfer his vote to Thiruvananthapuram and would surely take necessary steps to exercise the franchise in the constituency in future elections.
Both the CPI(M) and CPI, the major coalition partners in the LDF, slammed Chandrasekhar and said exercising franchise is not only a person's fundamental right but also a responsibility of every citizen.
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Nearly half of Bengaluru voters give Lok Sabha elections a miss
Nearly half of Bengaluru's voters did not turn up to vote in the Lok Sabha elections on Friday. Voting took place in 14 constituencies in Karnataka, with the Election Commission estimating the turnout at 69.23%.
However, the percentage of voters who exercised their franchise in three urban constituencies in the city — Bangalore Central, Bangalore North and Bangalore South — was significantly lower.
The approximate voter turnout in Bangalore Central was 52.81%, Bangalore North - 54.42% and Bangalore South - 53.15%. In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the turnout in Bengaluru Central was 54.32%, Bengaluru North - 54.76% and Bengaluru South - 53.70%.
Election Commission officials were disappointed that the voter apathy persisted despite their vigorous efforts to increase participation. "There is no explanation for it. That is the truth," a top EC official said.
However, the percentage of voters who exercised their franchise in three urban constituencies in the city — Bangalore Central, Bangalore North and Bangalore South — was significantly lower.
The approximate voter turnout in Bangalore Central was 52.81%, Bangalore North - 54.42% and Bangalore South - 53.15%. In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the turnout in Bengaluru Central was 54.32%, Bengaluru North - 54.76% and Bengaluru South - 53.70%.
Election Commission officials were disappointed that the voter apathy persisted despite their vigorous efforts to increase participation. "There is no explanation for it. That is the truth," a top EC official said.
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PM to address rally in Pune on April 29
The ruling alliance of the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party held a meeting to review preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lok Sabha poll rally in Pune on April 29.
A massive crowd of two lakh will attend the rally to hear Modi's speech, senior Maharashtra BJP leader Chandrakant Patil said.
"PM Modi will stay at Raj Bhavan in Pune on April 29. There are no plans about the PM's roadshow. MNS chief Raj Thackeray's son Amit will also attend the rally," Patil said.
A massive crowd of two lakh will attend the rally to hear Modi's speech, senior Maharashtra BJP leader Chandrakant Patil said.
"PM Modi will stay at Raj Bhavan in Pune on April 29. There are no plans about the PM's roadshow. MNS chief Raj Thackeray's son Amit will also attend the rally," Patil said.
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Condition of the BJP will be worse in the next phases: Akhilesh Yadav
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav asserted on Saturday that the BJP's fortunes are set to deteriorate further in the remaining phases of the Lok Sabha polls. This statement follows the completion of the second round of polling, encompassing 88 seats across 13 states.
Earlier, after the conclusion of the first phase of polling on April 19, Yadav had remarked that the BJP's position in the ongoing elections was precarious, while emphasizing the strength of the I.N.D.I.A bloc, of which the Samajwadi Party (SP) is a constituent. In a post on X, he claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has not got voters in the first two phases and, in the remaining phases, it will note even get booth agents.
"After the first two phases of voting, the condition of the BJP will be worse in the next phases," he said and claimed that people are ensuring the BJP's departure.
Earlier, after the conclusion of the first phase of polling on April 19, Yadav had remarked that the BJP's position in the ongoing elections was precarious, while emphasizing the strength of the I.N.D.I.A bloc, of which the Samajwadi Party (SP) is a constituent. In a post on X, he claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has not got voters in the first two phases and, in the remaining phases, it will note even get booth agents.
"After the first two phases of voting, the condition of the BJP will be worse in the next phases," he said and claimed that people are ensuring the BJP's departure.
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TMC moves EC over Sandeshkhali raid
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Saturday filed a complaint with the Election Commission against the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raid on two premises linked to an alleged associate of Sandeshkhali accused Shajahan Sheikh.
The party accused the BJP of conspiring with the CBI and National Security Guard (NSG) to tarnish the party's image during the Lok Sabha elections. "While elections were going on, the CBI deliberately carried out an unscrupulous raid at an empty location in Sandeshkhali. Media reports suggest that the CBI called in additional forces including the bomb squad of the National Security Guard (NSG). It has also been reported that arms and ammunition have been recovered from a house during such raids," its letter said.
The TMC claimed that the CBI did not inform the state government or police before carrying out the raid and that the CBI brought a bomb squad for the raid even when the state police had a fully functional bomb disposal unit. The party also accused the CBI of informing the media about the raid in advance, stating that media personnel were already present during the raid even before the state administration arrived at the spot.
The TMC accused the CBI of attempting to trigger "nationwide odium and contempt" against it amid the elections and that the CBI had "notoriously instrumentalized the media" to spread the rumour that the person was a TMC supporter. “It is reiterated that in the absence of any representative of the State Government, the purported recovery of arms and ammunition is possibly a ploy employed by the BJP in conspiracy with the CBI and the NSG to plant such weapons at the site,” it added.
The party accused the BJP of conspiring with the CBI and National Security Guard (NSG) to tarnish the party's image during the Lok Sabha elections. "While elections were going on, the CBI deliberately carried out an unscrupulous raid at an empty location in Sandeshkhali. Media reports suggest that the CBI called in additional forces including the bomb squad of the National Security Guard (NSG). It has also been reported that arms and ammunition have been recovered from a house during such raids," its letter said.
The TMC claimed that the CBI did not inform the state government or police before carrying out the raid and that the CBI brought a bomb squad for the raid even when the state police had a fully functional bomb disposal unit. The party also accused the CBI of informing the media about the raid in advance, stating that media personnel were already present during the raid even before the state administration arrived at the spot.
The TMC accused the CBI of attempting to trigger "nationwide odium and contempt" against it amid the elections and that the CBI had "notoriously instrumentalized the media" to spread the rumour that the person was a TMC supporter. “It is reiterated that in the absence of any representative of the State Government, the purported recovery of arms and ammunition is possibly a ploy employed by the BJP in conspiracy with the CBI and the NSG to plant such weapons at the site,” it added.
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Congress to discuss candidates for Amethi, Raebareli seats on Saturday
The top Congress leadership will discuss and finalise the party candidates for the remaining Lok Sabha seats, including Amethi and Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh, on Saturday evening, sources said on Friday.
The Congress’ central election committee (CEC) chaired by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge will meet on Saturday evening to discuss the remaining seats for Lok Sabha polls, they said.
The Congress has so far announced candidates for 317 Lok Sabha seats.
The Congress’ central election committee (CEC) chaired by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge will meet on Saturday evening to discuss the remaining seats for Lok Sabha polls, they said.
The Congress has so far announced candidates for 317 Lok Sabha seats.
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Environment
IAF helicopter roped in to douse forest fires in Uttarakhand
An IAF helicopter was pressed into service on Saturday to extinguish the raging forest fires in Uttarakhand's Nainital district, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said.
The situation in the district worsened on Friday with the flames reaching the High Court Colony in the Pines area.
An MI-17 helicopter collected water in a Bambi Bucket from Bhimtal lake and poured it over the burning forests of Pines, Bhumiadhar, Jyolikot, Narayan Nagar, Bhawali, Ramgarh and Mukteshwar areas of the district, officials said. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said all efforts are being made to bring the fires under control and it will be done soon.
Three people were arrested in Rudraprayag on Friday while trying to set fire to forests.
As many as 31 fresh incidents of forest fire were reported from various parts of the state on Friday, destroying 33.34 hectares of forest land, according to officials. The fire that broke out in the forest near Nainital took a horrific form on Friday, posing a threat to the residents of High Court Colony. It also affected traffic movement in the area.
Besides forest department staff, Army personnel are involved in efforts to control the fire.
Anil Joshi, a resident of the Pines area and assistant registrar of the Uttarakhand High Court said, “The fire had engulfed an old and vacant house located near The Pines on Friday. It did not cause any damage to High Court Colony but it came dangerously close to the buildings.” The district administration has banned boating in Naini lake in view of the blaze.
Nainital Divisional Forest Officer Chandrashekhar Joshi said, “We have deployed 40 Manora Range personnel and two forest rangers to extinguish the fire.”
From November 1 last year till now, a total of 575 incidents of forest fire have been reported in Uttarakhand, affecting 689.89 hectares of forest area and costing the state more than Rs 14 lakh.
The situation in the district worsened on Friday with the flames reaching the High Court Colony in the Pines area.
An MI-17 helicopter collected water in a Bambi Bucket from Bhimtal lake and poured it over the burning forests of Pines, Bhumiadhar, Jyolikot, Narayan Nagar, Bhawali, Ramgarh and Mukteshwar areas of the district, officials said. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said all efforts are being made to bring the fires under control and it will be done soon.
Three people were arrested in Rudraprayag on Friday while trying to set fire to forests.
As many as 31 fresh incidents of forest fire were reported from various parts of the state on Friday, destroying 33.34 hectares of forest land, according to officials. The fire that broke out in the forest near Nainital took a horrific form on Friday, posing a threat to the residents of High Court Colony. It also affected traffic movement in the area.
Besides forest department staff, Army personnel are involved in efforts to control the fire.
Anil Joshi, a resident of the Pines area and assistant registrar of the Uttarakhand High Court said, “The fire had engulfed an old and vacant house located near The Pines on Friday. It did not cause any damage to High Court Colony but it came dangerously close to the buildings.” The district administration has banned boating in Naini lake in view of the blaze.
Nainital Divisional Forest Officer Chandrashekhar Joshi said, “We have deployed 40 Manora Range personnel and two forest rangers to extinguish the fire.”
From November 1 last year till now, a total of 575 incidents of forest fire have been reported in Uttarakhand, affecting 689.89 hectares of forest area and costing the state more than Rs 14 lakh.
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Forest fire reaches Nainital’s High Court Colony, army called in
Forest fires in Uttarakhand became more severe on Friday with the flames reaching the High Court Colony in Nainital.
Three persons were arrested in Rudraprayag on Friday while trying to set fire to the forests.
In the last 24 hours, 31 new incidents of forest fires were reported from various parts of the state, destroying 33.34 hectares of forest land. The fire that broke out in the forest near Nainital district headquarters took a horrific form, posing a threat to the residents of High Court Colony located in the Pines area. It also affected the traffic movement in the area.
Along with the forest department employees, army personnel are also trying to control the fire.
Anil Joshi, a resident of the area and assistant registrar of the High Court said, “The fire has engulfed an old and vacant house located near The Pines. It has not caused any damage to High Court Colony but it has reached dangerously close to the buildings. Efforts are being made to control the fire since evening.” In view of the possibility of the fire reaching the sensitive areas of the Indian Army located near the Pines, efforts are being made to extinguish the fire as soon as possible.
The district administration has banned boating in Naini Lake in view of the blaze.
According to the daily bulletin issued by the Forest Department here, 26 incidents of forest fire occurred in the state's Kumaon region in the last 24 hours, while five incidents occurred in Garhwal region, where 33.34 hectares of forest area was affected. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said an IAF helicopter was pressed into service to extinguish the raging forest fires in Uttarakhand's Nainital district.
An MI-17 helicopter collected water in a Bambi Bucket from Bhimtal lake and poured it over the burning forests of Pines, Bhumiadhar, Jyolikot, Narayan Nagar, Bhawali, Ramgarh and Mukteshwar areas of the district, officials said.
Three persons were arrested in Rudraprayag on Friday while trying to set fire to the forests.
In the last 24 hours, 31 new incidents of forest fires were reported from various parts of the state, destroying 33.34 hectares of forest land. The fire that broke out in the forest near Nainital district headquarters took a horrific form, posing a threat to the residents of High Court Colony located in the Pines area. It also affected the traffic movement in the area.
Along with the forest department employees, army personnel are also trying to control the fire.
Anil Joshi, a resident of the area and assistant registrar of the High Court said, “The fire has engulfed an old and vacant house located near The Pines. It has not caused any damage to High Court Colony but it has reached dangerously close to the buildings. Efforts are being made to control the fire since evening.” In view of the possibility of the fire reaching the sensitive areas of the Indian Army located near the Pines, efforts are being made to extinguish the fire as soon as possible.
The district administration has banned boating in Naini Lake in view of the blaze.
According to the daily bulletin issued by the Forest Department here, 26 incidents of forest fire occurred in the state's Kumaon region in the last 24 hours, while five incidents occurred in Garhwal region, where 33.34 hectares of forest area was affected. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said an IAF helicopter was pressed into service to extinguish the raging forest fires in Uttarakhand's Nainital district.
An MI-17 helicopter collected water in a Bambi Bucket from Bhimtal lake and poured it over the burning forests of Pines, Bhumiadhar, Jyolikot, Narayan Nagar, Bhawali, Ramgarh and Mukteshwar areas of the district, officials said.
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International
Yemen’s Houthis say their missile hit India-bound Andromeda Star oil ship in Red Sea
Yemen’s Houthis have said that as they continue attacking commercial ships in the area in a show of support for Palestinians fighting Israel in the Gaza war, their missiles hit the Andromeda Star oil tanker in the Red Sea.
According to British maritime security firm Ambrey, the ship's master reported damage to the vessel. Houthis missiles hit Andromeda Star oil tanker in Red Sea.
Houthi spokesman Yahya Sarea said the Panama-flagged ship was British-owned, but shipping data shows it was recently sold, according to LSEG data and Ambrey.
According to ‘Reuters’ report, its current owner is Seychelles-registered. The tanker is engaged in Russia-linked trade. It was en route from Primorsk, Russia, to Vadinar, India, Ambrey said.
According to British maritime security firm Ambrey, the ship's master reported damage to the vessel. Houthis missiles hit Andromeda Star oil tanker in Red Sea.
Houthi spokesman Yahya Sarea said the Panama-flagged ship was British-owned, but shipping data shows it was recently sold, according to LSEG data and Ambrey.
According to ‘Reuters’ report, its current owner is Seychelles-registered. The tanker is engaged in Russia-linked trade. It was en route from Primorsk, Russia, to Vadinar, India, Ambrey said.
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Iran says it has granted consular access to Indian crew from the seized Portuguese-flagged ship
Iran on Saturday said the mostly Indian crew of a Portuguese-flagged ship that was seized by Iranian forces in its maritime territory two weeks ago is being granted consular access, raising hopes for their early release and extradition.
Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard on April 13 seized the Israeli-affiliated, Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries, a container ship, manned by a crew of 25, including 17 Indians, near the Strait of Hormuz as a result of a series of attacks between Iran and Israel. A statement from Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Portugal’s newly-appointed Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel had a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian.
It was during this telephonic conversation that both sides exchanged their latest views on the Portuguese-flagged Israeli ship seized by Iranian forces. “We (will) seriously consider the release of the ship’s crew as a humanitarian issue and we have announced to their ambassadors in Tehran their access to consular services, release and extradition,” Amirabdollahian said.
Ann Tessa Joseph, the sole woman cadet among the 17 Indian crew members of the MSC Aries was released on April 18 following “concerted efforts” by the Indian mission in Tehran and the Iranian government.
Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard on April 13 seized the Israeli-affiliated, Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries, a container ship, manned by a crew of 25, including 17 Indians, near the Strait of Hormuz as a result of a series of attacks between Iran and Israel. A statement from Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Portugal’s newly-appointed Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel had a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian.
It was during this telephonic conversation that both sides exchanged their latest views on the Portuguese-flagged Israeli ship seized by Iranian forces. “We (will) seriously consider the release of the ship’s crew as a humanitarian issue and we have announced to their ambassadors in Tehran their access to consular services, release and extradition,” Amirabdollahian said.
Ann Tessa Joseph, the sole woman cadet among the 17 Indian crew members of the MSC Aries was released on April 18 following “concerted efforts” by the Indian mission in Tehran and the Iranian government.
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US Intelligence suggests Putin probably did not order Navalny’s killing: Report
A ‘Wall Street Journal’ report stated on Saturday that US Intelligence agencies have determined that Russian President Vladimir Putin probably did not order the killing of Opposition leader Alexei Navalny at an Arctic prison camp in February.
Navalny, aged 47, was known as Putin’s most vocal domestic critic.
His allies, who have been labelled extremists by the authorities, have accused Putin of orchestrating his murder and have pledged to provide evidence to support their claim. The Kremlin has consistently denied any state involvement in Navalny’s death.
Last month, Putin referred to Navalny’s passing as “sad”.
Navalny, aged 47, was known as Putin’s most vocal domestic critic.
His allies, who have been labelled extremists by the authorities, have accused Putin of orchestrating his murder and have pledged to provide evidence to support their claim. The Kremlin has consistently denied any state involvement in Navalny’s death.
Last month, Putin referred to Navalny’s passing as “sad”.
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Deadly crash in US kills three Indian women
Three women, reportedly from India, were killed in a deadly crash in the US state of South Carolina when their overspeeding car veered out of control before jumping at least 20 feet in the air and crashing into trees, media reports said.
The accident occurred on Friday at noon on the Staunton Bridge Road along Interstate 85 near Lakeside Road, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers, Fox Carolina reported. The women were travelling in the SUV speeding in the northbound lanes of Interstate 85, Chief Deputy Coroner Mike Ellis from the Greenville County Coroner’s Office said.
He said the vehicle left the roadway on the right-hand shoulder, ran up the embankment, went through the cement bridge embankment, and jumped completely over all four lanes of traffic.
It then went through some trees on the other side of the roadway and down an embankment, Ellis added. According to the report, officers confirmed that three passengers died at the scene. Ellis said the victims were from Georgia.
They said that the injured driver was hospitalised, but their current condition is unknown.
Ellis said the car was found in pieces and added that no other vehicle was involved in the accident.
The accident occurred on Friday at noon on the Staunton Bridge Road along Interstate 85 near Lakeside Road, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers, Fox Carolina reported. The women were travelling in the SUV speeding in the northbound lanes of Interstate 85, Chief Deputy Coroner Mike Ellis from the Greenville County Coroner’s Office said.
He said the vehicle left the roadway on the right-hand shoulder, ran up the embankment, went through the cement bridge embankment, and jumped completely over all four lanes of traffic.
It then went through some trees on the other side of the roadway and down an embankment, Ellis added. According to the report, officers confirmed that three passengers died at the scene. Ellis said the victims were from Georgia.
They said that the injured driver was hospitalised, but their current condition is unknown.
Ellis said the car was found in pieces and added that no other vehicle was involved in the accident.
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Hamas says it received Israel’s response to ceasefire proposal
Hamas stated on Saturday that it has received Israel’s official response to its latest ceasefire proposal and would review it before providing a reply, as per a statement from the group’s deputy Gaza chief Khalil Al-Hayya.
Despite more than six months of conflict with Israel in Gaza, negotiations are deadlocked.
Despite more than six months of conflict with Israel in Gaza, negotiations are deadlocked.
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US food regulator checking quality of Everest and MDH products
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is gathering information on spices sold by MDH and Everest after Hong Kong halted sales of some of their products for allegedly containing high levels of a cancer-causing pesticide.
“The FDA is aware of the reports and is gathering additional information about the situation,” an FDA spokesperson told ‘Reuters’ on Friday. Earlier this month Hong Kong suspended the sale of three MDH spice blends and one Everest spice mix for fish curries, while Singapore recalled an Everest spice mix. They both said the products contain high levels of ethylene oxide.
MDH and Everest spices are among the most popular spice brands in India and are also sold in Europe, Asia and North America.
India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has also begun probing the quality of products from the two companies, following the moves in Hong Kong and Singapore.
“The FDA is aware of the reports and is gathering additional information about the situation,” an FDA spokesperson told ‘Reuters’ on Friday. Earlier this month Hong Kong suspended the sale of three MDH spice blends and one Everest spice mix for fish curries, while Singapore recalled an Everest spice mix. They both said the products contain high levels of ethylene oxide.
MDH and Everest spices are among the most popular spice brands in India and are also sold in Europe, Asia and North America.
India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has also begun probing the quality of products from the two companies, following the moves in Hong Kong and Singapore.
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Nawaz Sharif set to retake helm of PML-N amidst internal strife
Pakistan’s three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is all set to retake the helm of the ruling PML-N next month to guide the party amid internal strife, seven years after he relinquished the post after being disqualified by the apex court.
The 74-year-old will be elected president of the ruling party on May 11 in a meeting of the party leadership, a senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader told PTI. In 2017, the Supreme Court of Pakistan disqualified Nawaz as premier and party president for his alleged corruption in cases related to the Panama Papers revelations about his illegal wealth stashed abroad.
He relinquished his position within the party following his disqualification, which also led to his departure from the Prime Minister's Office.
Nawaz is currently on a five-day private visit to China.
The 74-year-old will be elected president of the ruling party on May 11 in a meeting of the party leadership, a senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader told PTI. In 2017, the Supreme Court of Pakistan disqualified Nawaz as premier and party president for his alleged corruption in cases related to the Panama Papers revelations about his illegal wealth stashed abroad.
He relinquished his position within the party following his disqualification, which also led to his departure from the Prime Minister's Office.
Nawaz is currently on a five-day private visit to China.
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Ready to serve nine more years in prison rather than striking deal: Imran Khan
Pakistan's former prime minister, Imran Khan, has ruled out an agreement with those who have "enslaved" the country, stating that he is ready to serve for nine more years in prison but will never strike a deal with them.
In a message released for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party's 28th Foundation Day on Friday, Khan stated that the country was under the worst dictatorship and was destroying its economy, government rule, democracy, and judiciary. He called on individuals to play their part in stopping this descent towards ruin and said he would give any sacrifice required for actual freedom but would never compromise on his or his nation's freedom.
Khan has been convicted in at least four cases since his removal from power in April 2022.
His party has been facing a crackdown since falling out with the powerful military, and the party faced pressure in the form of arrests and deselections in the wake of the May 9 violence that broke out after Khan's arrest last year. Khan's message came shortly after PTI leader Shehryar Afridi claimed that the party would have talks but not with the Bilwal Bhutto-Zardai-led Pakistan Peoples Party or the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz after their recent overtures.
“We will talk with the Army chief, the DG I[SI] and the army because the need of the hour is to [prioritise] the country’s security,” Afridi said.
In a message released for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party's 28th Foundation Day on Friday, Khan stated that the country was under the worst dictatorship and was destroying its economy, government rule, democracy, and judiciary. He called on individuals to play their part in stopping this descent towards ruin and said he would give any sacrifice required for actual freedom but would never compromise on his or his nation's freedom.
Khan has been convicted in at least four cases since his removal from power in April 2022.
His party has been facing a crackdown since falling out with the powerful military, and the party faced pressure in the form of arrests and deselections in the wake of the May 9 violence that broke out after Khan's arrest last year. Khan's message came shortly after PTI leader Shehryar Afridi claimed that the party would have talks but not with the Bilwal Bhutto-Zardai-led Pakistan Peoples Party or the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz after their recent overtures.
“We will talk with the Army chief, the DG I[SI] and the army because the need of the hour is to [prioritise] the country’s security,” Afridi said.
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Columbia leadership rebuked by faculty panel for police crackdown on protesters
Nemat Minouche Shafik, Columbia University's president faced fresh criticism on Friday after a campus oversight panel sharply criticised her administration for clamping down on a pro-Palestinian protest at the school.
Shafik has faced an outcry from many students, faculty and outside observers for summoning New York police to dismantle a tent encampment set up on campus by protesters against Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. After a two hour meeting, the university’s senate approved a resolution that said Shafik’s administration “had undermined academic freedom and disregarded the privacy and due process rights of students and faculty members by calling in the police and shutting down the protest.”
The senate, composed mostly of faculty members and other staff plus a few students, did not name Shafik in its resolution and avoided the harsher language of a censure.
Shafik has faced an outcry from many students, faculty and outside observers for summoning New York police to dismantle a tent encampment set up on campus by protesters against Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. After a two hour meeting, the university’s senate approved a resolution that said Shafik’s administration “had undermined academic freedom and disregarded the privacy and due process rights of students and faculty members by calling in the police and shutting down the protest.”
The senate, composed mostly of faculty members and other staff plus a few students, did not name Shafik in its resolution and avoided the harsher language of a censure.
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Oil tanker damaged in Houthi missile strike
A crude oil tanker has been damaged in a missile attack by the Houthis off the coast of Yemen — marking the latest strike to be carried out by the group.
British maritime security agency UKMTO reported that the Panama-flagged ship was struck twice and suffered damage. However no injuries or deaths have been reported and the incident is under investigation. The initial investigation revealed that the first missile attack caused an explosion near to the ship and was felt by those aboard. The second - thought to involve two missiles - made contact.
The Houthis have claimed responsibility for the attack. The group's spokesman, Yahya Sarea, said a "British" ship called the Andromeda Star had been targeted, resulting in a "direct hit".
The tanker in question was owned by the UK until November 2023, according to a global risk management firm.
British maritime security agency UKMTO reported that the Panama-flagged ship was struck twice and suffered damage. However no injuries or deaths have been reported and the incident is under investigation. The initial investigation revealed that the first missile attack caused an explosion near to the ship and was felt by those aboard. The second - thought to involve two missiles - made contact.
The Houthis have claimed responsibility for the attack. The group's spokesman, Yahya Sarea, said a "British" ship called the Andromeda Star had been targeted, resulting in a "direct hit".
The tanker in question was owned by the UK until November 2023, according to a global risk management firm.
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Trigger warning: Police brutality, Death, Distressing details
I can't breathe: Black man in Ohio tells police before he died
Trigger warning: Police brutality, Death, Distressing details
The Ohio police released video of Frank Tyson, a Black man who died at a local hospital after repeatedly telling officers "I can't breathe" as they pinned him to the floor of a bar and handcuffed him.
The body cam footage was released on Thursday and shows the police apprehending Tyson, a 53-year-old suspected of leaving the scene of a single-car accident on April 18. The 36-minute clip shows the officers entering a nearby tavern after finding out that the driver of a vehicle that had struck an electrical police had fled there.
At the establishment, they wrestled Tyson to the ground and handcuffed him. One of them is seen placing a knee on his back near his neck for about 30 seconds. Tyson can be heard repeatedly saying, "I can't breathe. I can't... get off my neck," as an officer yells "Calm down" and "You're fine" before standing up. The footage following this shows Tyson laying on the ground, motionless with his face to the ground while the officers check if he is alive.
Eight minutes after the officers handcuffed Tyson, they removed the cuffs and began CPR. Paramedics then arrive at the scene and take Tyson out of the bar on a stretcher and into a waiting ambulance, the video shows. However, he died at the local hospital.
The incident, which is yet another act of police brutality against a black man in the US, is starkly reminiscent of George Floyd’s killing four years ago.
The Ohio police released video of Frank Tyson, a Black man who died at a local hospital after repeatedly telling officers "I can't breathe" as they pinned him to the floor of a bar and handcuffed him.
The body cam footage was released on Thursday and shows the police apprehending Tyson, a 53-year-old suspected of leaving the scene of a single-car accident on April 18. The 36-minute clip shows the officers entering a nearby tavern after finding out that the driver of a vehicle that had struck an electrical police had fled there.
At the establishment, they wrestled Tyson to the ground and handcuffed him. One of them is seen placing a knee on his back near his neck for about 30 seconds. Tyson can be heard repeatedly saying, "I can't breathe. I can't... get off my neck," as an officer yells "Calm down" and "You're fine" before standing up. The footage following this shows Tyson laying on the ground, motionless with his face to the ground while the officers check if he is alive.
Eight minutes after the officers handcuffed Tyson, they removed the cuffs and began CPR. Paramedics then arrive at the scene and take Tyson out of the bar on a stretcher and into a waiting ambulance, the video shows. However, he died at the local hospital.
The incident, which is yet another act of police brutality against a black man in the US, is starkly reminiscent of George Floyd’s killing four years ago.
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King Charles to resume public duties amid cancer treatment progress
King Charles III will begin resuming some of his public-facing duties as medical experts were “sufficiently pleased” and “very encouraged” with his progress following a cancer diagnosis earlier this year, Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Friday.
The 75-year-old monarch will mark his recuperation milestone with a joint visit with his wife, Queen Camilla, to a cancer treatment centre in London next Tuesday. The schedule for further public-facing duties will be managed to minimise any health risks, with the State Visit of Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako in June expected to be among the King's next major events.
“His Majesty the King will shortly return to public-facing duties after a period of treatment and recuperation following his recent cancer diagnosis,” reads the palace statement.
The 75-year-old monarch will mark his recuperation milestone with a joint visit with his wife, Queen Camilla, to a cancer treatment centre in London next Tuesday. The schedule for further public-facing duties will be managed to minimise any health risks, with the State Visit of Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako in June expected to be among the King's next major events.
“His Majesty the King will shortly return to public-facing duties after a period of treatment and recuperation following his recent cancer diagnosis,” reads the palace statement.
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About 1 in 5 commercial milk samples tested positive for bird flu traces: FDA
A national survey found that one in five commercial milk samples in the US tested positive for bird flu, with a higher proportion from infected herds, the US Food and Drug Administration said.
The FDA however stated that there is no evidence that the milk poses a danger or that a live virus is present. Additional testing is required to determine whether the intact pathogen is still present and if it remains infectious, the FDA said.
The FDA however stated that there is no evidence that the milk poses a danger or that a live virus is present. Additional testing is required to determine whether the intact pathogen is still present and if it remains infectious, the FDA said.
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Blinken addresses China's support for Russia's war in Beijing
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed apprehensions on Friday regarding China's backing of Russia's military actions, adding to the list of concerns that could strain the recent improvement in relations between the two largest economies globally.
During extensive discussions lasting five-and-a-half hours with China's top diplomat Wang Yi in Beijing, Blinken broached the subject, marking the latest in a series of high-level engagements between the two nations aimed at alleviating last year's tensions. "I reiterated our serious concern about the PRC [People's Republic of China] providing components that are powering Russia's brutal war of aggression against Ukraine," Blinken said at a news conference at the end of his visit on Friday.
"China is the top supplier of machine tools, microelectronics, nitrocellulose, which is critical to making munitions and rocket propellants, and other dual-use items that Moscow is using to ramp up its defence industrial base." While the visit produced little progress on contentious matters such as US grievances regarding inexpensive Chinese exports and tensions surrounding Taiwan and the South China Sea, both sides shifted focus towards practical issues like enhancing people-to-people exchanges.
During extensive discussions lasting five-and-a-half hours with China's top diplomat Wang Yi in Beijing, Blinken broached the subject, marking the latest in a series of high-level engagements between the two nations aimed at alleviating last year's tensions. "I reiterated our serious concern about the PRC [People's Republic of China] providing components that are powering Russia's brutal war of aggression against Ukraine," Blinken said at a news conference at the end of his visit on Friday.
"China is the top supplier of machine tools, microelectronics, nitrocellulose, which is critical to making munitions and rocket propellants, and other dual-use items that Moscow is using to ramp up its defence industrial base." While the visit produced little progress on contentious matters such as US grievances regarding inexpensive Chinese exports and tensions surrounding Taiwan and the South China Sea, both sides shifted focus towards practical issues like enhancing people-to-people exchanges.
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Don't drag Pakistan for political mileage during elections in India: Pak Foreign Office
Pakistan on Friday urged Indian leaders to stop using Pakistan in their speeches for political gain during the election season.
Pakistan's Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated that Pakistan rejects all claims made by Indian leaders over Jammu and Kashmir.
“Indian politicians to cease their reckless practice of dragging Pakistan into India’s populist public discourse for electoral motives,” she said. She cited an alarming surge in provocative statements from Indian leaders asserting unwarranted claims on the region, which she attributed to hyper-nationalism and poses a serious threat to regional peace.
“Historical and legal facts as well as ground realities refute India’s baseless claims over Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.
India's Ministry of External Affairs has repeatedly stated that the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of India, and no other country has locus standi to comment on the matter.
Pakistan's Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated that Pakistan rejects all claims made by Indian leaders over Jammu and Kashmir.
“Indian politicians to cease their reckless practice of dragging Pakistan into India’s populist public discourse for electoral motives,” she said. She cited an alarming surge in provocative statements from Indian leaders asserting unwarranted claims on the region, which she attributed to hyper-nationalism and poses a serious threat to regional peace.
“Historical and legal facts as well as ground realities refute India’s baseless claims over Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.
India's Ministry of External Affairs has repeatedly stated that the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of India, and no other country has locus standi to comment on the matter.
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Legal
ED acted in most highhanded manner in excise policy case, Kejriwal tells Supreme Court
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday told the Supreme Court that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has acted in a “most highhanded manner” in a money-laundering case stemming from the alleged excise policy scam.
In a rejoinder to the ED’s reply affidavit filed on his petition challenging his arrest in the case, Kejriwal said he has always cooperated with the investigation. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader said the ED, in its reply affidavit filed in the apex court, has said that one of the reasons that necessitated his arrest was that he did not remain present before the investigating officer (IO) despite being summoned nine times.
Kejriwal said the ED has said in its reply that in such a case, the IO was justified in forming an opinion that custodial interrogation would lead to “a qualitatively more elicitation orientated” questioning of the accused. “The aforementioned tenor, text and contents of the reply leave no manner of doubt that the ED has acted in a most highhanded manner in a gross affront to the due process of law,” he said.
He said the record would reveal that each and every summons issued to him was duly responded to while seeking vital details and information, which under no circumstances can be claimed to be privileged or confidential by the ED.
In a rejoinder to the ED’s reply affidavit filed on his petition challenging his arrest in the case, Kejriwal said he has always cooperated with the investigation. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader said the ED, in its reply affidavit filed in the apex court, has said that one of the reasons that necessitated his arrest was that he did not remain present before the investigating officer (IO) despite being summoned nine times.
Kejriwal said the ED has said in its reply that in such a case, the IO was justified in forming an opinion that custodial interrogation would lead to “a qualitatively more elicitation orientated” questioning of the accused. “The aforementioned tenor, text and contents of the reply leave no manner of doubt that the ED has acted in a most highhanded manner in a gross affront to the due process of law,” he said.
He said the record would reveal that each and every summons issued to him was duly responded to while seeking vital details and information, which under no circumstances can be claimed to be privileged or confidential by the ED.
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Allahabad High Court grants bail to ex-MP Dhananjay Singh
The Allahabad High Court on Saturday granted bail to former MP Dhananjay Singh but refused his plea to suspend or stay a seven-year imprisonment sentence passed by a district court in a 2020 kidnapping and extortion case. After the high court order, Singh will be released on bail but he cannot contest the election.
On March 6, the MP-MLA court in Jaunpur sentenced Singh and his associate Santosh Vikram to seven years of rigorous imprisonment for their involvement in the kidnapping and extortion of Namami Gange project manager Abhinav Singhal in 2020. After hearing the criminal appeal filed by the former MP and his associate on April 24, Justice Sanjay Kumar Singh had reserved the order.
This appeal was filed against the judgement passed by the special judge, Jaunpur MP/MLA on March 6. Singh's wife Srikala Reddy is contesting elections from the Jaunpur parliamentary constituency on the Bahujan Samaj Party ticket.
On March 6, the MP-MLA court in Jaunpur sentenced Singh and his associate Santosh Vikram to seven years of rigorous imprisonment for their involvement in the kidnapping and extortion of Namami Gange project manager Abhinav Singhal in 2020. After hearing the criminal appeal filed by the former MP and his associate on April 24, Justice Sanjay Kumar Singh had reserved the order.
This appeal was filed against the judgement passed by the special judge, Jaunpur MP/MLA on March 6. Singh's wife Srikala Reddy is contesting elections from the Jaunpur parliamentary constituency on the Bahujan Samaj Party ticket.
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Delhi Court grants bail to AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan
The Rouse Avenue Court on Saturday granted bail to Aam Aadmi Party MLA Amanatullah Khan in connection with the Enforcement Directorate’s complaint for alleged non-attendance of the summons in the Delhi Waqf Board money laundering case.
Khan appeared before the court following a summons issued by the court. The Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Divya Malhotra, noted his presence and granted him bail on a personal bond of Rs 15,000 and one surety of like amount. The Enforcement Directorate had moved a complaint against Khan for not appearing before the agency and not joining the probe in the case related to alleged irregularities in appointment in Delhi Waqf Board and leasing of its properties.
Special public prosecutor Simon Benjamin appeared for the Enforcement Directorate in the matter. The federal probe agency has alleged that Khan elevated his role from witness to accused by filing an anticipatory bail plea and running away from the investigation.
A chargesheet has already been filed against four accused persons and one firm.
Khan appeared before the court following a summons issued by the court. The Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Divya Malhotra, noted his presence and granted him bail on a personal bond of Rs 15,000 and one surety of like amount. The Enforcement Directorate had moved a complaint against Khan for not appearing before the agency and not joining the probe in the case related to alleged irregularities in appointment in Delhi Waqf Board and leasing of its properties.
Special public prosecutor Simon Benjamin appeared for the Enforcement Directorate in the matter. The federal probe agency has alleged that Khan elevated his role from witness to accused by filing an anticipatory bail plea and running away from the investigation.
A chargesheet has already been filed against four accused persons and one firm.
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National
Sunita Kejriwal holds maiden poll roadshow in Delhi
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is a "sher" (lion) and nobody can break him, said his wife Sunita Kejriwal as she held her maiden Lok Sabha poll roadshow in support of the AAP's East Delhi candidate on Saturday evening.
Standing through the sunroof of a vehicle, Sunita Kejriwal greeted voters in the Kondli area of East Delhi constituency with folded hands.
She said the Delhi Chief Minister was jailed because he built schools, provided free electricity and opened Mohalla Clinics. “We will vote to remove dictatorship and save democracy,” Sunita Kejriwal said.
With Arvind Kejriwal behind bars in a money laundering case, his wife will spearhead the AAP's poll campaign and hold roadshows, including one in the West Delhi Lok Sabha constituency on Sunday, according to party leaders.
Sunita Kejriwal will also campaign for AAP candidates in South Delhi and New Delhi constituencies as well as in Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab, the party leaders said.
Standing through the sunroof of a vehicle, Sunita Kejriwal greeted voters in the Kondli area of East Delhi constituency with folded hands.
She said the Delhi Chief Minister was jailed because he built schools, provided free electricity and opened Mohalla Clinics. “We will vote to remove dictatorship and save democracy,” Sunita Kejriwal said.
With Arvind Kejriwal behind bars in a money laundering case, his wife will spearhead the AAP's poll campaign and hold roadshows, including one in the West Delhi Lok Sabha constituency on Sunday, according to party leaders.
Sunita Kejriwal will also campaign for AAP candidates in South Delhi and New Delhi constituencies as well as in Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab, the party leaders said.
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Items recovered in Sandeshkhali might be brought by CBI: Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said there was “no evidence” of arms seizure in Sandeshkhali, asserting that CBI teams conducted searches without informing the state police.
She expressed skepticism regarding the operations, stating that the recovered items “might have been brought by officials of the central agency”. “Even if a firecracker goes off in Bengal, the NIA, CBI, NSG are coming to investigate. It seems that a war is going on. The state police were not informed. It is not known what was found. There was no evidence. The seized items might have been brought by them (CBI) in a car,” Banerjee said.
She was addressing an election rally for TMC’s Asansol Lok Sabha candidate Shatrughan Sinha.
The CBI on Friday seized arms and ammunition, including a police service revolver and foreign-made firearms, during searches at two premises of an associate of now-suspended TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh in Sandeshkhali, officials said.
She expressed skepticism regarding the operations, stating that the recovered items “might have been brought by officials of the central agency”. “Even if a firecracker goes off in Bengal, the NIA, CBI, NSG are coming to investigate. It seems that a war is going on. The state police were not informed. It is not known what was found. There was no evidence. The seized items might have been brought by them (CBI) in a car,” Banerjee said.
She was addressing an election rally for TMC’s Asansol Lok Sabha candidate Shatrughan Sinha.
The CBI on Friday seized arms and ammunition, including a police service revolver and foreign-made firearms, during searches at two premises of an associate of now-suspended TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh in Sandeshkhali, officials said.
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Motorcycle accident in Jammu kills CBI officer
A CBI officer was killed when his motorcycle slipped while crossing a speed-breaker in Jammu, an official said on Saturday.
Paloura resident Prashant Sharma, a deputy superintendent of police in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), was returning home when the accident occurred during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, the official said. The accident resulted in Sharma suffering critical head injuries. He was rushed to the Government Medical College, Jammu. Sharma died while being shifted to a hospital in Punjab for specialised treatment, the official said.
His post-mortem is underway at the Government Medical College, Jammu, and the body will be handed over to his family after legal formalities are completed, he added.
Paloura resident Prashant Sharma, a deputy superintendent of police in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), was returning home when the accident occurred during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, the official said. The accident resulted in Sharma suffering critical head injuries. He was rushed to the Government Medical College, Jammu. Sharma died while being shifted to a hospital in Punjab for specialised treatment, the official said.
His post-mortem is underway at the Government Medical College, Jammu, and the body will be handed over to his family after legal formalities are completed, he added.
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Congress slams Centre for seeking 'modification' in 2G case verdict
The Congress on Saturday said the BJP's "hypocrisy knows no bounds" and alleged that while it called the administrative allocation of 2G spectrum under the UPA a "scam", the Narendra Modi government was now seeking permission from the Supreme Court to "give away spectrum" without an auction.
The opposition party's attack came after the Centre on Monday moved the Supreme Court seeking modification of its verdict in the 2G spectrum case which said the State was duty bound to adopt the auction route while transferring or alienating the country's natural resources. A top source, however, later said the government is not seeking to change the 2012 Supreme Court judgement that backed auction as the preferred mode of allocating telecom spectrum except for narrowly defined sectors such as satellite communication and defence where auction is not feasible.
Attacking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "The hypocrisy of the 'Modi Sarkar' and 'Bhrasht Janata Party' knows no bounds. During Dr Manmohan Singh's tenure, they cried to all who would listen that the administrative allocation of 2G spectrum was a 'scam'". "Now, they are arguing the opposite — they have gone to the Supreme Court for permission to give away spectrum to whoever they want, without an auction," he alleged.
"Of course, this 'Modani Regime' has already been handing over public resources to the PM's crony capitalist friends - airports have been handed over to one company, coal mines have been given away in fraudulent auctions, and even satellite spectrum has been handed over in exchange for Rs 150 crore in electoral bonds. In total, they have already handed out Rs 4 lakh crore worth of public resources to their corporate donors," Ramesh further alleged.
The opposition party's attack came after the Centre on Monday moved the Supreme Court seeking modification of its verdict in the 2G spectrum case which said the State was duty bound to adopt the auction route while transferring or alienating the country's natural resources. A top source, however, later said the government is not seeking to change the 2012 Supreme Court judgement that backed auction as the preferred mode of allocating telecom spectrum except for narrowly defined sectors such as satellite communication and defence where auction is not feasible.
Attacking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "The hypocrisy of the 'Modi Sarkar' and 'Bhrasht Janata Party' knows no bounds. During Dr Manmohan Singh's tenure, they cried to all who would listen that the administrative allocation of 2G spectrum was a 'scam'". "Now, they are arguing the opposite — they have gone to the Supreme Court for permission to give away spectrum to whoever they want, without an auction," he alleged.
"Of course, this 'Modani Regime' has already been handing over public resources to the PM's crony capitalist friends - airports have been handed over to one company, coal mines have been given away in fraudulent auctions, and even satellite spectrum has been handed over in exchange for Rs 150 crore in electoral bonds. In total, they have already handed out Rs 4 lakh crore worth of public resources to their corporate donors," Ramesh further alleged.
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IPL betting racket busted; three men held, search on for another
The police in Maharashtra's Thane district have busted an IPL betting racket by conducting a raid at a hotel in Bhiwandi, and arrested three persons hailing from Chhattisgarh in this connection, an official said.
The operation was conducted jointly by the officials of the Special Task Force and the Anti-Extortion Cell of the Thane police's crime branch on April 25, Deputy Commissioner of Police Shivraj Patil said in a press conference on Friday evening. Efforts are on to trace one more accused, who partnered with the arrested trio and operated the racket from Chhattisgarh, he said.
"The police had received a tip-off that some persons were inviting people to place their bets on the ongoing IPL cricket matches. Accordingly, a raid was conducted at a hotel in Kongaon village in Bhiwandi between 7.30 pm and 11 pm on Thursday," he said. The accused trio was caught taking bets on the match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad. They were making use of the mobile applications and collected a total of Rs 11,86,811 from people, the official said.
The fourth accused, who operated from Chhattisgarh, collected Rs 7,03,000 from people on the bets, he said.
"The trio had obtained SIM cards by forging documents. During the raids, the police seized 12 mobiles, one tablet and laptop each collectively valued at Rs 1.97 lakh from them," Patil said. Assistant Commissioner of Police Shekar Bagde said the police have launched an operation to nab the fourth who operated from Korba in Chhattisgarh.
The arrested accused were identified as Shannu Lalit Berival (31), Rajat Babula Sharma (30) and Vijay Sitaram Devgan (40), he said.
The operation was conducted jointly by the officials of the Special Task Force and the Anti-Extortion Cell of the Thane police's crime branch on April 25, Deputy Commissioner of Police Shivraj Patil said in a press conference on Friday evening. Efforts are on to trace one more accused, who partnered with the arrested trio and operated the racket from Chhattisgarh, he said.
"The police had received a tip-off that some persons were inviting people to place their bets on the ongoing IPL cricket matches. Accordingly, a raid was conducted at a hotel in Kongaon village in Bhiwandi between 7.30 pm and 11 pm on Thursday," he said. The accused trio was caught taking bets on the match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad. They were making use of the mobile applications and collected a total of Rs 11,86,811 from people, the official said.
The fourth accused, who operated from Chhattisgarh, collected Rs 7,03,000 from people on the bets, he said.
"The trio had obtained SIM cards by forging documents. During the raids, the police seized 12 mobiles, one tablet and laptop each collectively valued at Rs 1.97 lakh from them," Patil said. Assistant Commissioner of Police Shekar Bagde said the police have launched an operation to nab the fourth who operated from Korba in Chhattisgarh.
The arrested accused were identified as Shannu Lalit Berival (31), Rajat Babula Sharma (30) and Vijay Sitaram Devgan (40), he said.
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Firing outside Salman Khan's home: Lookout circular issued against Anmol Bishnoi
A lookout circular (LOC) has been issued against Anmol Bishnoi, the younger brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, in connection with the firing outside actor Salman Khan's house in Mumbai's Bandra earlier this month, a police official has said.
The police are also likely to take custody of Lawrence Bishnoi, who is currently lodged in a jail in Gujarat's Sabarmati, and was also contemplating invoking the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in the case, he said. Anmol Bishnoi had claimed responsibility for the firing and a probe too showed his involvement, following which the LOC was issued on Friday by the Mumbai police, the official added.
"Anmol and Lawrence Bishnoi have been named as wanted accused in the case. Anmol Bishnoi stays in Canada and travels to the USA. However, the IP address of the Facebook post, through which he claimed responsibility for the firing, was traced to Portugal," the official said.
The police are also likely to take custody of Lawrence Bishnoi, who is currently lodged in a jail in Gujarat's Sabarmati, and was also contemplating invoking the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in the case, he said. Anmol Bishnoi had claimed responsibility for the firing and a probe too showed his involvement, following which the LOC was issued on Friday by the Mumbai police, the official added.
"Anmol and Lawrence Bishnoi have been named as wanted accused in the case. Anmol Bishnoi stays in Canada and travels to the USA. However, the IP address of the Facebook post, through which he claimed responsibility for the firing, was traced to Portugal," the official said.
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Two CRPF personnel killed in militant attack in Manipur
Two CRPF personnel were killed and two others injured as militants allegedly attacked a camp of security forces in Manipur's Bishnupur district in the early hours of Saturday, police said.
The militants attacked an IRBn (India Reserve Battalion) camp at Naranseina in the Moirang police station area, they said. "The militants fired indiscriminately from hilltops, targeting the camp. It started around 12.30 am and continued till about 2.15 am. The militants also hurled bombs, one of which exploded in the outpost of CRPF's 128 battalion," a senior police officer said.
The deceased were identified as CRPF sub-inspector N Sarkar and head constable Arup Saini, he said. The injured were inspector Jadav Das and constable Aftab Das, he said, adding that they received splinter wounds.
The CRPF personnel were deployed to provide security to the IRBn camp. A massive search was underway to find the perpetrators of the attack, police said.
The militants attacked an IRBn (India Reserve Battalion) camp at Naranseina in the Moirang police station area, they said. "The militants fired indiscriminately from hilltops, targeting the camp. It started around 12.30 am and continued till about 2.15 am. The militants also hurled bombs, one of which exploded in the outpost of CRPF's 128 battalion," a senior police officer said.
The deceased were identified as CRPF sub-inspector N Sarkar and head constable Arup Saini, he said. The injured were inspector Jadav Das and constable Aftab Das, he said, adding that they received splinter wounds.
The CRPF personnel were deployed to provide security to the IRBn camp. A massive search was underway to find the perpetrators of the attack, police said.
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'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah' actor Gurucharan Singh missing
Actor Gurucharan Singh of TV serial 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah' fame has reportedly gone missing, sources in the Delhi Police have said.
The 50-year-old actor's father has filed a missing complaint with the police, they said. According to them, Gurucharan Singh had left home at 8:30 am on April 22 for the airport to go to Mumbai. But he did not reach Mumbai and his phone was also unreachable, the complaint stated.
Police sources said they have formed different teams and an investigation into the matter has been initiated. "We are scanning CCTV footage to know what exactly has happened," a source said.
The 50-year-old actor's father has filed a missing complaint with the police, they said. According to them, Gurucharan Singh had left home at 8:30 am on April 22 for the airport to go to Mumbai. But he did not reach Mumbai and his phone was also unreachable, the complaint stated.
Police sources said they have formed different teams and an investigation into the matter has been initiated. "We are scanning CCTV footage to know what exactly has happened," a source said.
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Sandeshkhali: Police revolver, foreign-made guns among firearms seized by CBI
The CBI on Friday seized arms and ammunition, including a police service revolver and foreign-made firearms, during searches at two premises of an associate of now-suspended TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali, officials said.
The searches were conducted in connection with the January attack on an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team by a mob that was allegedly instigated by Sheikh, who was arrested by the West Bengal Police on February 29 in the case. Teams of the CBI, the bomb detection squad, the National Security Guard (NSG), the central paramilitary forces and the West Bengal Police were part of the searches at the village.
The recovery of firearms led to an exchange of accusations between the TMC and the BJP, with the ruling party claiming the BJP was scheming to undermine the state government during the current Lok Sabha elections, while the BJP retaliated by accusing the TMC of colluding with "anti-national forces".
The searches were conducted in connection with the January attack on an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team by a mob that was allegedly instigated by Sheikh, who was arrested by the West Bengal Police on February 29 in the case. Teams of the CBI, the bomb detection squad, the National Security Guard (NSG), the central paramilitary forces and the West Bengal Police were part of the searches at the village.
The recovery of firearms led to an exchange of accusations between the TMC and the BJP, with the ruling party claiming the BJP was scheming to undermine the state government during the current Lok Sabha elections, while the BJP retaliated by accusing the TMC of colluding with "anti-national forces".
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Politics
AAP protests against Arvind Kejriwal's arrest in East Delhi
AAP workers on Saturday held a demonstration in Laxmi Nagar against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, ahead of his wife Sunita Kejriwal's maiden Lok Sabha poll roadshow in East Delhi.
The demonstration was part of the Aam Aadmi Party's "Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se" campaign. AAP's East Delhi Lok Sabha poll candidate Kuldeep Kumar, for whom Sunita Kejriwal will be campaigning, said the people of Delhi are ready to give a response to the "dictatorship that the BJP has shown" and the arrest of Kejriwal.
AAP workers holding placards raised the slogan 'Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se' at the demonstration led by Kumar.
The demonstration was part of the Aam Aadmi Party's "Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se" campaign. AAP's East Delhi Lok Sabha poll candidate Kuldeep Kumar, for whom Sunita Kejriwal will be campaigning, said the people of Delhi are ready to give a response to the "dictatorship that the BJP has shown" and the arrest of Kejriwal.
AAP workers holding placards raised the slogan 'Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se' at the demonstration led by Kumar.
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Sports
FIDE opens bidding process for World Championship clash
The All India Chess Federation (AICF) will have to shell out more than Rs 80 crore (USD 9.6 million) if it intends to host the World Championship clash between Indian prodigy D Gukesh and reigning champion Ding Liren of China.
The marquee match is tentatively scheduled between November 20 and December 15.
Chess' global governing body FIDE on Saturday invited tenders from prospective bidders for the much-anticipated match. AICF's newly-elected secretary Dev Patel on Thursday expressed the national body's willingness to host the grand finale which is garnering a lot of interest due to Gukesh's presence.
The 17-year-old Gukesh became the youngest ever challenger for the world title by winning the Candidates Tournament in Toronto on Monday.
The basic criteria outlined by FIDE for a prospective bidder is a budget of Rs 8.5 million (Rs 71 crore approx) and a facilitation fee of USD 1.1 million (Rs 9 crore) for the global body. The duration of the tournament is 25 days and approval of regulations will be completed by July 1. The total prize money awarded by FIDE is around USD 2.5 million (Rs 20 crore plus) as the prize fund was increased from USD 2 million (Rs 17 crore) in 2023.
The payment for commercial, sponsorship and broadcasting rights will be specified according to bidders' proposals.
The organiser shall respect the rights of the FIDE sponsors and partners, including for the video broadcast.
The marquee match is tentatively scheduled between November 20 and December 15.
Chess' global governing body FIDE on Saturday invited tenders from prospective bidders for the much-anticipated match. AICF's newly-elected secretary Dev Patel on Thursday expressed the national body's willingness to host the grand finale which is garnering a lot of interest due to Gukesh's presence.
The 17-year-old Gukesh became the youngest ever challenger for the world title by winning the Candidates Tournament in Toronto on Monday.
The basic criteria outlined by FIDE for a prospective bidder is a budget of Rs 8.5 million (Rs 71 crore approx) and a facilitation fee of USD 1.1 million (Rs 9 crore) for the global body. The duration of the tournament is 25 days and approval of regulations will be completed by July 1. The total prize money awarded by FIDE is around USD 2.5 million (Rs 20 crore plus) as the prize fund was increased from USD 2 million (Rs 17 crore) in 2023.
The payment for commercial, sponsorship and broadcasting rights will be specified according to bidders' proposals.
The organiser shall respect the rights of the FIDE sponsors and partners, including for the video broadcast.
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Delhi Capitals beat Mumbai Indians by 10 runs
Delhi Capitals beat Mumbai Indians by 10 runs in another high-scoring Indian Premier League match in New Delhi on Saturday.
Asked to bat first, Delhi Capitals posted a massive 257/4. In reply, MI scored 247/9 in the allotted 20 overs.
DC’s young recruit Jake Fraser-McGurk started smashing the ball right from the start, propelling DC to 92 for no loss in the powerplay. Fraser-McGurk blazed away to a 25-ball 84 before being dismissed by Piyush Chawla, caught in the deep while trying to clear the fence.
Shai Hope sustained the momentum given by Fraser-McGurk's brutal onslaught and hammered 41 off just 17 balls with five sixes, while Tristan Stubbs chipped in with an unbeaten 48 off 25 balls.
For MI, Tilak Varma smashed 63 in 32 balls, Hardik Pandya made 46 off 24balls, and Tim David 37 off just 17 deliveries as the visitors came close after slipping to 65/3 in six overs.
Asked to bat first, Delhi Capitals posted a massive 257/4. In reply, MI scored 247/9 in the allotted 20 overs.
DC’s young recruit Jake Fraser-McGurk started smashing the ball right from the start, propelling DC to 92 for no loss in the powerplay. Fraser-McGurk blazed away to a 25-ball 84 before being dismissed by Piyush Chawla, caught in the deep while trying to clear the fence.
Shai Hope sustained the momentum given by Fraser-McGurk's brutal onslaught and hammered 41 off just 17 balls with five sixes, while Tristan Stubbs chipped in with an unbeaten 48 off 25 balls.
For MI, Tilak Varma smashed 63 in 32 balls, Hardik Pandya made 46 off 24balls, and Tim David 37 off just 17 deliveries as the visitors came close after slipping to 65/3 in six overs.
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Archery WC: Jyothi grabs hat-trick of gold medals as India sweep compound team events
Asian Games champion Jyothi Surekha Vennam's incredible presence of mind helped her bag a stunning hat-trick of gold medals as she spearheaded India's dominance at the ongoing Archery World Cup Stage 1 in Shanghai on Saturday.
The world No. 3 Jyothi fought past tournament top seed Andrea Becerra of Mexico in a tight shoot-off finish 146=146 (9*-9) to complete a rare feat during the season-opening global showpiece. It also matched her feat at the last year's Hangzhou Asian Games where 27-year-old Vijayawada archer returned with a hattrick of gold medals, winning individual, women's team and mixed team events.
In the morning session, India underlined their supremacy in the non-Olympic compound category to make a clean sweep of team events, winning men's team, women's team and mixed team events with Jyothi featuring in two of them.
Jyothi, Aditi Swami and Parneet Kaur dropped just four points to trounce Italy 236-225 in the women's compound team event to open their account with a gold medal. The men's team of Abhishek Verma, Priyansh and Prathamesh Fuge then went one step better as they missed just two points en route to defeating Netherlands' Mike Schloesser, Sil Pater and Stef Willems 238-231.
The mixed team completed the sweep when the second-seeded Jyothi and Verma warded off a late resurgence from their Estonian rivals - Lisell Jaatma and Robin Jaatma - to win 158-157 in a thrilling finish.
The women's compound team, who qualified as top seed, dropped just four points from 24 arrows to down sixth seeded Italy in the first match of the day. Medal rounds in the recurve section will be played on Sunday and India are eyeing two gold from the Olympic discipline.
The Indian men's team will take on Olympic champions South Korea in the gold medal clash.
Deepika Kumari is in fray for an individual medal and will play her semifinal against South Korean rival in the women's recurve section.
The world No. 3 Jyothi fought past tournament top seed Andrea Becerra of Mexico in a tight shoot-off finish 146=146 (9*-9) to complete a rare feat during the season-opening global showpiece. It also matched her feat at the last year's Hangzhou Asian Games where 27-year-old Vijayawada archer returned with a hattrick of gold medals, winning individual, women's team and mixed team events.
In the morning session, India underlined their supremacy in the non-Olympic compound category to make a clean sweep of team events, winning men's team, women's team and mixed team events with Jyothi featuring in two of them.
Jyothi, Aditi Swami and Parneet Kaur dropped just four points to trounce Italy 236-225 in the women's compound team event to open their account with a gold medal. The men's team of Abhishek Verma, Priyansh and Prathamesh Fuge then went one step better as they missed just two points en route to defeating Netherlands' Mike Schloesser, Sil Pater and Stef Willems 238-231.
The mixed team completed the sweep when the second-seeded Jyothi and Verma warded off a late resurgence from their Estonian rivals - Lisell Jaatma and Robin Jaatma - to win 158-157 in a thrilling finish.
The women's compound team, who qualified as top seed, dropped just four points from 24 arrows to down sixth seeded Italy in the first match of the day. Medal rounds in the recurve section will be played on Sunday and India are eyeing two gold from the Olympic discipline.
The Indian men's team will take on Olympic champions South Korea in the gold medal clash.
Deepika Kumari is in fray for an individual medal and will play her semifinal against South Korean rival in the women's recurve section.
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Gujarat Titans eye collective improvement against refreshed RCB
Long Read
In need of a total reboot, Gujarat Titans will be wary of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s newfound firepower in the middle-order when the two teams clash in the Indian Premier League on Sunday.
The Titans are now seventh on the table with eight points from nine matches, and they require a victory to float above the growing pile, constituted by Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals who are also on eight points.
To begin with, the Gujarat side needs their pacers to step up. Their pace bowling unit has been underwhelming throughout this IPL. Mohit Sharma (10 wickets, economy: 10.35), Umesh Yadav (7 wickets, 10.55), Sandeep Warrier (5 wickets, 10.85) have leaked runs in plenty while backup quicks such as Spencer Johnson and Azmatullah Omarzai too have not inspired much confidence.
Their spinners – Rashid Khan (8 wickets), R Sai Kishore and Noor Ahmad (6 wickets each) – have been steady without being spectacular.
The troika’s task will be even harder now considering RCB have found a flicker of hope in their middle-order consisting of Rajat Patidar and Cameron Green. They can take consolation from the fact that dew will not be a significant factor in a day game, but tackling Patidar, in particular, and Green need much more than help from conditions.
After a modest beginning to the season, Patidar has shown smidgens of his batting skills, especially against the spinners.
He made forceful fifties while tackling Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy (KKR) and Mayank Markande (SRH) in the last two matches while batting through the middle phase. While his 23-ball 52 carried RCB nearly home against Kolkata, Patidar’s 20-ball 50 came in a winning cause against Hyderabad.
The right-hander, whose strength is his excellent eye-hand coordination rather than innovation, will be eager to make a similar impact against the GT spinners.
Green too was impressive during his 20-ball 37 against the Sunrisers that took RCB past the 200-run mark. It has also helped RCB reduce their dependency on Dinesh Karthik and Mahipal Lomror down the order for a late thrust, besides freeing opener Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis of the burden of scoring in almost every match.
The GT batters would also like to take a cue from their RCB counterparts.
Sai Sudharsan and skipper Shubman Gill have scored upwards of 300 runs in this IPL, making three combined fifties, but the GT middle-order has not really been able to do a follow-up act. The likes of David Miller (138 runs), Shahrukh Khan (30), Vijay Shankar (73) and Rahul Tewatia (153) have had fleeting moments but failed to carry on.
The home side will require a heftier contribution from them against the RCB bowlers, who were on the money against SRH while defending 207.
Their frontline pacers Mohammed Siraj (4-0-20-0) and Yash Dayal (3-0-18-1) were exceptional against a heavy-duty batting line-up, keeping it guessing with clever variations even on a smooth HCA Stadium surface. Leg-spinner Karn Sharma and part-time pacer Green picked up four wickets equally among them to support their lead bowlers.
So, in a day-game they might be hoping for an even more improved show against a vacillating batting unit of GT.
The match starts at 3.30 pm.
In need of a total reboot, Gujarat Titans will be wary of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s newfound firepower in the middle-order when the two teams clash in the Indian Premier League on Sunday.
The Titans are now seventh on the table with eight points from nine matches, and they require a victory to float above the growing pile, constituted by Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals who are also on eight points.
To begin with, the Gujarat side needs their pacers to step up. Their pace bowling unit has been underwhelming throughout this IPL. Mohit Sharma (10 wickets, economy: 10.35), Umesh Yadav (7 wickets, 10.55), Sandeep Warrier (5 wickets, 10.85) have leaked runs in plenty while backup quicks such as Spencer Johnson and Azmatullah Omarzai too have not inspired much confidence.
Their spinners – Rashid Khan (8 wickets), R Sai Kishore and Noor Ahmad (6 wickets each) – have been steady without being spectacular.
The troika’s task will be even harder now considering RCB have found a flicker of hope in their middle-order consisting of Rajat Patidar and Cameron Green. They can take consolation from the fact that dew will not be a significant factor in a day game, but tackling Patidar, in particular, and Green need much more than help from conditions.
After a modest beginning to the season, Patidar has shown smidgens of his batting skills, especially against the spinners.
He made forceful fifties while tackling Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy (KKR) and Mayank Markande (SRH) in the last two matches while batting through the middle phase. While his 23-ball 52 carried RCB nearly home against Kolkata, Patidar’s 20-ball 50 came in a winning cause against Hyderabad.
The right-hander, whose strength is his excellent eye-hand coordination rather than innovation, will be eager to make a similar impact against the GT spinners.
Green too was impressive during his 20-ball 37 against the Sunrisers that took RCB past the 200-run mark. It has also helped RCB reduce their dependency on Dinesh Karthik and Mahipal Lomror down the order for a late thrust, besides freeing opener Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis of the burden of scoring in almost every match.
The GT batters would also like to take a cue from their RCB counterparts.
Sai Sudharsan and skipper Shubman Gill have scored upwards of 300 runs in this IPL, making three combined fifties, but the GT middle-order has not really been able to do a follow-up act. The likes of David Miller (138 runs), Shahrukh Khan (30), Vijay Shankar (73) and Rahul Tewatia (153) have had fleeting moments but failed to carry on.
The home side will require a heftier contribution from them against the RCB bowlers, who were on the money against SRH while defending 207.
Their frontline pacers Mohammed Siraj (4-0-20-0) and Yash Dayal (3-0-18-1) were exceptional against a heavy-duty batting line-up, keeping it guessing with clever variations even on a smooth HCA Stadium surface. Leg-spinner Karn Sharma and part-time pacer Green picked up four wickets equally among them to support their lead bowlers.
So, in a day-game they might be hoping for an even more improved show against a vacillating batting unit of GT.
The match starts at 3.30 pm.
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Inconsistent Chennai Super Kings face bruised Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL
Smarting from back-to-back losses, defending champion Chennai Super Kings will be desperate to return to winning ways when they face a formidable but bruised Sunrisers Hyderabad in their IPL match on Sunday.
CSK had a good start to the season under new skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad but they have been toppled by the Lucknow Super Giants twice in the last two games.
It was an unfamiliar sight for the Yellow Brigade fans to see the Chepauk fortress being breached as LSG knocked down a target of 210 with ease, thanks to Marcus Stoinis’ stunning hundred. With four wins and as many losses in eight games, CSK are currently at fifth spot, tied with eight points with Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans and will be keen to find their mojo back as things can quickly go south as the race to playoffs get heated up.
Come Sunday, CSK will be up against third-ranked Sunrisers Hyderabad, who have twice broken the record of the highest IPL total this season but are coming into the game following a failure of their ultra-batting approach.
CSK’s batting has hovered around skipper Gaikwad, who pulled off only his second IPL century the other day, and the in-form Shivam Dube, who once again impressed with yet another fifty. While Ravindra Jadeja too chipped in with the bat, the inconsistent form of top-order is a problem. Both Rachin Ravindra and Dary Mitchell's lack of runs is a concern and it has forced CSK to shuffle their batting order.
Considering their bowling, the hosts had to toil hard against LSG, given the unexpectedly huge amount of dew at Chepauk that took their spinners out of the game and the visitors made full advantage of it during their 213-run chase.
While the CSK pacers managed to capture the four LSG wickets to fell, the spinners struggled to grip the ball, whereas the constant misfields did not help them either. A high-flying SRH, on the other hand, were brought to the ground by RCB when they suffered only their third defeat of the season at home by 35 runs on Thursday.
However, it is unlikely to deter the SRH batters who would fancy their chances against an inconsistent CSK.
Against RCB, SRH's top and middle-order failed collectively while chasing, forcing head coach Daniel Vettori to admit that the idea of going all out with the bat in the second innings might not be the right thing to do. There is unlikely to be any shuffling in the visiting batting order, but Aiden Markram might need to step up, having been dismissed in singles figures in the last two contests.
In bowling, senior seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the only one who could be at the receiving end, having managed to claim just a wicket in the last three fixtures.
With the likes of Umran Malik, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Akash Singh waiting in the wings, SRH may think of given a chance, especially to the Jammu pacer, who has the ability to bowl above 150 kmph. Given that SRH won four of their last five games this season while defending, they would love to bat first but both teams will also keep an eye on the unpredictable dew factor.
The match stats at 7.30 pm IST.
CSK had a good start to the season under new skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad but they have been toppled by the Lucknow Super Giants twice in the last two games.
It was an unfamiliar sight for the Yellow Brigade fans to see the Chepauk fortress being breached as LSG knocked down a target of 210 with ease, thanks to Marcus Stoinis’ stunning hundred. With four wins and as many losses in eight games, CSK are currently at fifth spot, tied with eight points with Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans and will be keen to find their mojo back as things can quickly go south as the race to playoffs get heated up.
Come Sunday, CSK will be up against third-ranked Sunrisers Hyderabad, who have twice broken the record of the highest IPL total this season but are coming into the game following a failure of their ultra-batting approach.
CSK’s batting has hovered around skipper Gaikwad, who pulled off only his second IPL century the other day, and the in-form Shivam Dube, who once again impressed with yet another fifty. While Ravindra Jadeja too chipped in with the bat, the inconsistent form of top-order is a problem. Both Rachin Ravindra and Dary Mitchell's lack of runs is a concern and it has forced CSK to shuffle their batting order.
Considering their bowling, the hosts had to toil hard against LSG, given the unexpectedly huge amount of dew at Chepauk that took their spinners out of the game and the visitors made full advantage of it during their 213-run chase.
While the CSK pacers managed to capture the four LSG wickets to fell, the spinners struggled to grip the ball, whereas the constant misfields did not help them either. A high-flying SRH, on the other hand, were brought to the ground by RCB when they suffered only their third defeat of the season at home by 35 runs on Thursday.
However, it is unlikely to deter the SRH batters who would fancy their chances against an inconsistent CSK.
Against RCB, SRH's top and middle-order failed collectively while chasing, forcing head coach Daniel Vettori to admit that the idea of going all out with the bat in the second innings might not be the right thing to do. There is unlikely to be any shuffling in the visiting batting order, but Aiden Markram might need to step up, having been dismissed in singles figures in the last two contests.
In bowling, senior seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the only one who could be at the receiving end, having managed to claim just a wicket in the last three fixtures.
With the likes of Umran Malik, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Akash Singh waiting in the wings, SRH may think of given a chance, especially to the Jammu pacer, who has the ability to bowl above 150 kmph. Given that SRH won four of their last five games this season while defending, they would love to bat first but both teams will also keep an eye on the unpredictable dew factor.
The match stats at 7.30 pm IST.
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IPL: Mumbai Indians opt to field against Delhi Capitals; Prithvi Shaw misses out
Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and opted to field against Delhi Capitals in their Indian Premier League match against Delhi Capitals on Saturday.
MI made one change to its playing XI, bringing in Luke Wood for Gerald Coetzee.
The Delhi side made a couple of changes, bringing in Kumar Kushagra and Lizaad Williams for Prithvi Shaw and Anrich Nortje. While DC is ranked sixth on the points table, MI is placed ninth. Playing XI
DC: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Kumar Kushagra, Shai Hope, Rishabh Pant (wk & c), Tristan Stubbs, Abishek Porel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Lizaad Williams, Mukesh Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed.
MI: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Nehal Wadhera, Hardik Pandya (c), Tim David, Mohammad Nabi, Piyush Chawla, Luke Wood, Jasprit Bumrah and Nuwan Thushara.
MI made one change to its playing XI, bringing in Luke Wood for Gerald Coetzee.
The Delhi side made a couple of changes, bringing in Kumar Kushagra and Lizaad Williams for Prithvi Shaw and Anrich Nortje. While DC is ranked sixth on the points table, MI is placed ninth. Playing XI
DC: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Kumar Kushagra, Shai Hope, Rishabh Pant (wk & c), Tristan Stubbs, Abishek Porel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Lizaad Williams, Mukesh Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed.
MI: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Nehal Wadhera, Hardik Pandya (c), Tim David, Mohammad Nabi, Piyush Chawla, Luke Wood, Jasprit Bumrah and Nuwan Thushara.
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Chaliha stuns Li, Indian women beat Canada 4-1 in Uber Cup
Ashmita Chaliha produced an inspired show to stun higher-ranked Michelle Li as the Indian women’s team notched up a clinical 4-1 win over Canada to make a positive start in the Uber Cup tournament in Chengdu, China, on Saturday.
The left-handed Chaliha, ranked 53rd, showed great mental resolve and tenacity as she outwitted world no. 25 Li, a gold and silver medallist at the 2014 and 2022 Commonwealth Games, 26-24 24-22 in a 42-minute opening singles clash. Chaliha, who was part of India’s maiden Asia Team Championships win in February, took over the leadership role in the absence of the top guns including P V Sindhu and delivered against Li, who is on a comeback trail after undergoing surgery for a meniscus tear on her right knee last August.
Young women’s doubles pair of Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra, who had claimed the senior national championships title last December, then beat Catherine Choi and Jeslyn Chow 21-12 21-10 to put India 2-0 ahead. Isharani Baruah defeated Wen Yu Zhang 21-13 21-12 to help India take an unassailable 3-0 lead.
In the second women’s doubles, Simran Singhi and Ritika Thaker went down 19-21 15-21 to Canada’s Jackie Dent and Crystal before national champion Anmol Kharb beat Eliana Zhang 21-15 21-11 in the fifth and final match to complete the comfortable win.
The left-handed Chaliha, ranked 53rd, showed great mental resolve and tenacity as she outwitted world no. 25 Li, a gold and silver medallist at the 2014 and 2022 Commonwealth Games, 26-24 24-22 in a 42-minute opening singles clash. Chaliha, who was part of India’s maiden Asia Team Championships win in February, took over the leadership role in the absence of the top guns including P V Sindhu and delivered against Li, who is on a comeback trail after undergoing surgery for a meniscus tear on her right knee last August.
Young women’s doubles pair of Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra, who had claimed the senior national championships title last December, then beat Catherine Choi and Jeslyn Chow 21-12 21-10 to put India 2-0 ahead. Isharani Baruah defeated Wen Yu Zhang 21-13 21-12 to help India take an unassailable 3-0 lead.
In the second women’s doubles, Simran Singhi and Ritika Thaker went down 19-21 15-21 to Canada’s Jackie Dent and Crystal before national champion Anmol Kharb beat Eliana Zhang 21-15 21-11 in the fifth and final match to complete the comfortable win.
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Coach Gambhir gets into a heated argument with 4th umpire during KKR vs Punjab Kings match
Jonny Bairstow brought his team Punjab Kings to a historic win in Friday's IPL match against hosts Kolkata Knight Riders after he chased down a 262 target with eight wickets and eight balls to spare.
While KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir mostly stayed calm throughout the the game, he lost his cool at the end of the 14th over during the first inning when he disagreed with an umpire's judgement. Punjab Kings spinner Rahul Chahar delivered a shorter ball outside off, prompting Andre Russell to execute a cut through cover. However, Ashutosh Sharma intervened with a dive to prevent the ball from reaching the boundary.
Ashutosh swiftly returned the ball to the keeper's end, but the throw was slightly off-target, allowing Russell to exploit the situation and take an extra run. Nevertheless, the on-field umpires refused Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) the additional run, citing that they had already signalled the end of the over. This decision left KKR's coach, Gautam Gambhir, visibly frustrated, prompting him to engage in a heated discussion with a match official near the dugout. Shreyas Iyer, the KKR captain, was also present during the altercation.
After a prolonged argument with the fourth umpire, Gambhir eventually retreated.
While KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir mostly stayed calm throughout the the game, he lost his cool at the end of the 14th over during the first inning when he disagreed with an umpire's judgement. Punjab Kings spinner Rahul Chahar delivered a shorter ball outside off, prompting Andre Russell to execute a cut through cover. However, Ashutosh Sharma intervened with a dive to prevent the ball from reaching the boundary.
Ashutosh swiftly returned the ball to the keeper's end, but the throw was slightly off-target, allowing Russell to exploit the situation and take an extra run. Nevertheless, the on-field umpires refused Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) the additional run, citing that they had already signalled the end of the over. This decision left KKR's coach, Gautam Gambhir, visibly frustrated, prompting him to engage in a heated discussion with a match official near the dugout. Shreyas Iyer, the KKR captain, was also present during the altercation.
After a prolonged argument with the fourth umpire, Gambhir eventually retreated.
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Pakistan to tour New Zealand next year for three ODIs, five T20Is
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that its national side will tour New Zealand next year to play three ODIs and five T20 Internationals.
The series, sixth between the two nations since 2023, was finalised during a meeting between PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) CEO Scott Weenink in Lahore on the sidelines of the ongoing five-match T20I rubber. It was in principle decided to conduct the tour after the 2025 Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan.
As per the existing ICC FTP, New Zealand are also scheduled to tour Pakistan for a tri-nation series before the Champions Trophy.
The series, sixth between the two nations since 2023, was finalised during a meeting between PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) CEO Scott Weenink in Lahore on the sidelines of the ongoing five-match T20I rubber. It was in principle decided to conduct the tour after the 2025 Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan.
As per the existing ICC FTP, New Zealand are also scheduled to tour Pakistan for a tri-nation series before the Champions Trophy.
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Archery WC: India bag three gold medals to sweep compound team events
Underlining their supremacy in non-Olympic compound archery, India grabbed a hat-trick of gold medals to make a clean sweep of team events at the ongoing World Cup Stage 1 in Shanghai on Saturday.
India's Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Aditi Swami and Parneet Kaur dropped just four points to trounce Italy 236-225 in the women's compound team event to open their account with a gold in the season-opening global showpiece. The men's team of Abhishek Verma, Priyansh and Prathamesh Fuge went one step better as they missed just two points en route to defeating Netherlands' Mike Schloesser, Sil Pater and Stef Willems 238-231.
The mixed team completed the sweep when the second-seeded Jyothi and Abhishek warded off a late resurgence from their Estonian rivals — Lisell Jaatma and Robin Jaatma — to win 158-157 in a thrilling finish. This was a double gold medal for the reigning Asian Games champion Jyothi who is also in the hunt for an individual gold and will play her semifinal later in the day.
Priyansh is also in the hunt for an individual medal in the compound segment. Medal rounds in the recurve section will be on Sunday and India are eyeing two gold from the Olympic discipline.
India's Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Aditi Swami and Parneet Kaur dropped just four points to trounce Italy 236-225 in the women's compound team event to open their account with a gold in the season-opening global showpiece. The men's team of Abhishek Verma, Priyansh and Prathamesh Fuge went one step better as they missed just two points en route to defeating Netherlands' Mike Schloesser, Sil Pater and Stef Willems 238-231.
The mixed team completed the sweep when the second-seeded Jyothi and Abhishek warded off a late resurgence from their Estonian rivals — Lisell Jaatma and Robin Jaatma — to win 158-157 in a thrilling finish. This was a double gold medal for the reigning Asian Games champion Jyothi who is also in the hunt for an individual gold and will play her semifinal later in the day.
Priyansh is also in the hunt for an individual medal in the compound segment. Medal rounds in the recurve section will be on Sunday and India are eyeing two gold from the Olympic discipline.
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Cricket is turning into baseball: Punjab Kings skipper Sam Curran
"Cricket is turning into baseball," Punjab Kings skipper Sam Curran aptly summed up his team's T20 world record run chase of 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL in Kolkata on Friday.
"Very pleasing. Most importantly the win, cricket has turned to baseball isn't it? We're delighted with the two points," Curran said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
"We had a tough few weeks as a team. Forget about the scores, we deserved this victory." Asked about the massive scores being put up by teams this IPL season, Curran said, "Loads of different things, guys can hit balls for long periods of time, the coaches, training, the dew, dot balls become wide after reviews and you get the extra ball.
"Stats are going out of the window. For us, it's all about the small moments. With the ball also we hung in there."
"Very pleasing. Most importantly the win, cricket has turned to baseball isn't it? We're delighted with the two points," Curran said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
"We had a tough few weeks as a team. Forget about the scores, we deserved this victory." Asked about the massive scores being put up by teams this IPL season, Curran said, "Loads of different things, guys can hit balls for long periods of time, the coaches, training, the dew, dot balls become wide after reviews and you get the extra ball.
"Stats are going out of the window. For us, it's all about the small moments. With the ball also we hung in there."
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Archery World Cup: India women's compound team wins gold
India trounced Italy in the women's compound team event to win their first gold at the ongoing Archery World Cup Stage 1 in Shanghai on Saturday.
The team of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Aditi Swami and Parneet Kaur, who qualified as top seed, dropped just four points from 24 arrows to down sixth seeded Italy 236-226 and open their account in the season-opening global showpiece. In the first three ends of six arrows each, Jyothi, Aditi and Parneet missed the perfect 10 only twice to take a handsome 178-171 lead over Marcella Tonioli, Irene Franchini and Elisa Roner.
In the fourth end, the Indians dropped two points but it did not matter much as they nailed the gold with an 11-point margin.
The team of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Aditi Swami and Parneet Kaur, who qualified as top seed, dropped just four points from 24 arrows to down sixth seeded Italy 236-226 and open their account in the season-opening global showpiece. In the first three ends of six arrows each, Jyothi, Aditi and Parneet missed the perfect 10 only twice to take a handsome 178-171 lead over Marcella Tonioli, Irene Franchini and Elisa Roner.
In the fourth end, the Indians dropped two points but it did not matter much as they nailed the gold with an 11-point margin.
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World wrestling body threatens to reimpose ban on WFI if ad-hoc committee is brought back
Wrestling's world governing body UWW on Friday threatened to reimpose the ban on India and bar its wrestlers from the final Olympic Qualifiers next month if an ad-hoc committee was brought back to run the sport.
Recently, the Delhi High Court directed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to file an affidavit stating the circumstances which led to the dissolution of the ad-hoc committee for running the national wrestling body. The UWW in a letter to WFI reiterated its stand that they won't allow any third party interference in the running of the national association of any country.
"We have been informed that the Wrestling Federation of India is once again threatened by your Ministry of Sports with the imposition of an Ad-hoc committee to oversee its affairs," UWW president Nenad Lalovic wrote in his e-mail to WFI.
He reminded the WFI of the serious implications the move could have, including jeopardising India's preparations for the upcoming Olympic Games.
Recently, the Delhi High Court directed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to file an affidavit stating the circumstances which led to the dissolution of the ad-hoc committee for running the national wrestling body. The UWW in a letter to WFI reiterated its stand that they won't allow any third party interference in the running of the national association of any country.
"We have been informed that the Wrestling Federation of India is once again threatened by your Ministry of Sports with the imposition of an Ad-hoc committee to oversee its affairs," UWW president Nenad Lalovic wrote in his e-mail to WFI.
He reminded the WFI of the serious implications the move could have, including jeopardising India's preparations for the upcoming Olympic Games.
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Punjab Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders by eight wickets after world record chase
Led by Jonny Bairstow's incredible hundred, Punjab Kings set a new world record for the highest run chase in the history of T20 cricket as they overhauled the 262-run target set by Kolkata Knight Riders with eight wickets to spare in the IPL in Kolkata on Friday.
PBKS bettered South Africa's 259/4 against West Indies in March last year. In the IPL, Rajasthan Royals held the previous record for chasing down 224 against KKR at Eden Gardens recently, equalling the record they had set against then Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2020 in Sharjah. Sent into bat, Kolkata Knight Riders scored 261/6 but PBKS completed the chase with eight balls to spare. KKR rode on a 138-run partnership between openers Phil Salt (75 off 37 balls) and Sunil Narine (71 off 32 balls).
The batters that followed the openers then consolidated the home team's position and took them to an imposing total. In reply, PBKS too were off to a great start and scored 93 runs for the loss of Prabhsimran Singh's wicket in the powerplay.
Prabhsimran blazed away to a 20-ball 54 before getting run out. Bairstow continued his brutal onslaught to help PBKS pull off a stunning win. Bairstow (108 off 48 balls) was well-supported by the in-form Shashank Singh who smashed 68 in only 28 balls.
PBKS bettered South Africa's 259/4 against West Indies in March last year. In the IPL, Rajasthan Royals held the previous record for chasing down 224 against KKR at Eden Gardens recently, equalling the record they had set against then Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2020 in Sharjah. Sent into bat, Kolkata Knight Riders scored 261/6 but PBKS completed the chase with eight balls to spare. KKR rode on a 138-run partnership between openers Phil Salt (75 off 37 balls) and Sunil Narine (71 off 32 balls).
The batters that followed the openers then consolidated the home team's position and took them to an imposing total. In reply, PBKS too were off to a great start and scored 93 runs for the loss of Prabhsimran Singh's wicket in the powerplay.
Prabhsimran blazed away to a 20-ball 54 before getting run out. Bairstow continued his brutal onslaught to help PBKS pull off a stunning win. Bairstow (108 off 48 balls) was well-supported by the in-form Shashank Singh who smashed 68 in only 28 balls.
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State
TMC alleges bomb explosion at BJP leader relative’s house in Bengal’s Hasnabad
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Saturday alleged that several people were injured after a powerful bomb went off at the house of a relative of a BJP leader in West Bengal's Basirhat Assembly constituency.
TMC leader Kunal Ghosh alleged that the explosion tore apart the roof of the house belonging to a relative of BJP leader Nimai Das in Hasnabad panchayat area, leaving several people injured. He questioned why the CBI or the NSG wasn't called to probe the incident. Ghosh claimed Das was often seen with senior BJP functionaries such as B L Santosh during public events of the saffron camp.
“All have witnessed how the CBI along with the NSG enacted a drama at Sandeshkhali in the same Basirhat region in the name of recovery of firearms from a house located at an isolated place on Friday”, Ghosh said.
He claimed that the NSG was used "as a part of the drama at Sandeshkhali yesterday. Today, an explosion took place at the house of the BJP leader's relative. Why shouldn't the CBI or the NSG step in to probe the incident", he asked. "In Sandeshkhali, few firearms were recovered from a house which is not owned by any TMC leader. But the drama was enacted to give TMC and the state a bad name", Ghosh said.
We demand that Das should be immediately taken into custody for interrogation, Ghosh said.
Reacting to the allegations, BJP spokesman Samik Bhattacharya said, "The TMC must first clarify the source of the arms in Sandeshkhali. Regarding the Hingalganj incident at Hasnabad, there should be a proper probe". Police said one woman was injured in the explosion and her husband Dilip Das had been detained for interrogation.
The woman, identified as Shyamali Das, was discharged after first aid, police added.
Basirhat SP Hossain Mehedi Rahaman said forensic experts have been called to ascertain the cause of the explosion.
TMC leader Kunal Ghosh alleged that the explosion tore apart the roof of the house belonging to a relative of BJP leader Nimai Das in Hasnabad panchayat area, leaving several people injured. He questioned why the CBI or the NSG wasn't called to probe the incident. Ghosh claimed Das was often seen with senior BJP functionaries such as B L Santosh during public events of the saffron camp.
“All have witnessed how the CBI along with the NSG enacted a drama at Sandeshkhali in the same Basirhat region in the name of recovery of firearms from a house located at an isolated place on Friday”, Ghosh said.
He claimed that the NSG was used "as a part of the drama at Sandeshkhali yesterday. Today, an explosion took place at the house of the BJP leader's relative. Why shouldn't the CBI or the NSG step in to probe the incident", he asked. "In Sandeshkhali, few firearms were recovered from a house which is not owned by any TMC leader. But the drama was enacted to give TMC and the state a bad name", Ghosh said.
We demand that Das should be immediately taken into custody for interrogation, Ghosh said.
Reacting to the allegations, BJP spokesman Samik Bhattacharya said, "The TMC must first clarify the source of the arms in Sandeshkhali. Regarding the Hingalganj incident at Hasnabad, there should be a proper probe". Police said one woman was injured in the explosion and her husband Dilip Das had been detained for interrogation.
The woman, identified as Shyamali Das, was discharged after first aid, police added.
Basirhat SP Hossain Mehedi Rahaman said forensic experts have been called to ascertain the cause of the explosion.
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Kerala Governor gives assent to five pending Bills
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Saturday said he has given his assent to five Bills passed by the state Assembly which had been pending for long.
The Bills include the Land Assignment Amendment Bill, Kerala Co-operative Societies (Amendment), the Paddy Wetland Amendment Bill, the Dairy Cooperation Bill and the Abkari Law Amendment Bill. (Swipe) Governor Khan who met the media said the assent was given a few days ago and the details were revealed today as the General elections in the state had concluded yesterday. "We had received many petitions (against the Bills). So we had to send it to the government and seek their comments. Then other petitions also came in favour of the Bills. It takes time to evaluate everything and make a decision," Khan said. Meanwhile, the Congress party ridiculed the assent and said when the Left government gets in trouble, the Governor comes in for the rescue.
The Bills include the Land Assignment Amendment Bill, Kerala Co-operative Societies (Amendment), the Paddy Wetland Amendment Bill, the Dairy Cooperation Bill and the Abkari Law Amendment Bill. (Swipe) Governor Khan who met the media said the assent was given a few days ago and the details were revealed today as the General elections in the state had concluded yesterday. "We had received many petitions (against the Bills). So we had to send it to the government and seek their comments. Then other petitions also came in favour of the Bills. It takes time to evaluate everything and make a decision," Khan said. Meanwhile, the Congress party ridiculed the assent and said when the Left government gets in trouble, the Governor comes in for the rescue.
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Chhattisgarh: CBI takes over probe in Bhuneshwar Sahu murder case
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over the investigation into the killing of a 22-year-old man in Chhattisgarh's Bemetara district last year.
Bhuneshwar Sahu was killed in communal violence in Biranpur village on April 8, 2023, after an altercation between schoolchildren from two communities.
On April 11, residents Rahim Mohammad and his son Idul Mohammad were found dead with multiple injuries on their bodies. The CBI re-registered the state police FIR that named 12 people as accused in the case. The CBI stated that children studying in class 7-8 of a village were returning from school when boys from a community working at a junk shop beat them up.
The victim fell down and sustained head injuries when they went to the locality, where members pelted stones from the roof. The accused and others allegedly killed the victim using a knife and other weapons.
During the investigation, the local police found criminal evidence against the 12 people named in the FIR and arrested them. (swipe) The CBI has taken over the state police FIR against Nawab Khan, Jalil Khan, Basir Khan, Mukhtar Mohd, Safiq Mohd, Abdul Khan, Akbar Khan, Mohd Janab, Ayub Khan, Nizamuddin, Rashid Khan, and Kallu Khan, who face charges of criminal conspiracy and murder. Bhuneshwar Sahu's killing became a major political issue ahead of the assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, where the BJP wrested power from the Congress. Ishwar Sahu raised the incident in the House through a calling attention motion questioning the government about a CBI probe in his son's killing.
Bhuneshwar Sahu was killed in communal violence in Biranpur village on April 8, 2023, after an altercation between schoolchildren from two communities.
On April 11, residents Rahim Mohammad and his son Idul Mohammad were found dead with multiple injuries on their bodies. The CBI re-registered the state police FIR that named 12 people as accused in the case. The CBI stated that children studying in class 7-8 of a village were returning from school when boys from a community working at a junk shop beat them up.
The victim fell down and sustained head injuries when they went to the locality, where members pelted stones from the roof. The accused and others allegedly killed the victim using a knife and other weapons.
During the investigation, the local police found criminal evidence against the 12 people named in the FIR and arrested them. (swipe) The CBI has taken over the state police FIR against Nawab Khan, Jalil Khan, Basir Khan, Mukhtar Mohd, Safiq Mohd, Abdul Khan, Akbar Khan, Mohd Janab, Ayub Khan, Nizamuddin, Rashid Khan, and Kallu Khan, who face charges of criminal conspiracy and murder. Bhuneshwar Sahu's killing became a major political issue ahead of the assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, where the BJP wrested power from the Congress. Ishwar Sahu raised the incident in the House through a calling attention motion questioning the government about a CBI probe in his son's killing.
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Indefinite shutdown of businesses begins in Nagaland
Markets were shut and private offices were closed as an indefinite shutdown of business establishments began in Nagaland on Saturday to protest against extortion by underground groups.
The shutdown was first observed in the state’s commercial capital Dimapur on Friday, following which the other districts joined on a call given by the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce & Industries (CNCCI).
The CNCCI said harassment of the business community over extortion cannot be tolerated any further. It urged the government to take immediate steps to stop the “unabated” extortions, intimidations and summons by the underground groups.
The CNCCI said that banks, educational institutions, government offices and hospitals have been kept outside the purview of the shutdown. State Home Commissioner Vikeyie Kenya said that it has come to the notice of the government that “rampant collection of taxes” from businesses, particularly in Dimapur, by various groups, most of which have signed ceasefire agreements with the government, has created an unbearable situation.
“Such activities reflect adversely on the law enforcing agency as well as on the state government,” he said, directing the police to take stringent measures.
He instructed the district administrations and the police to report any violation of the ceasefire ground rules to the Ceasefire Monitoring Group for appropriate action.
The shutdown was first observed in the state’s commercial capital Dimapur on Friday, following which the other districts joined on a call given by the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce & Industries (CNCCI).
The CNCCI said harassment of the business community over extortion cannot be tolerated any further. It urged the government to take immediate steps to stop the “unabated” extortions, intimidations and summons by the underground groups.
The CNCCI said that banks, educational institutions, government offices and hospitals have been kept outside the purview of the shutdown. State Home Commissioner Vikeyie Kenya said that it has come to the notice of the government that “rampant collection of taxes” from businesses, particularly in Dimapur, by various groups, most of which have signed ceasefire agreements with the government, has created an unbearable situation.
“Such activities reflect adversely on the law enforcing agency as well as on the state government,” he said, directing the police to take stringent measures.
He instructed the district administrations and the police to report any violation of the ceasefire ground rules to the Ceasefire Monitoring Group for appropriate action.
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Centre releases Rs 3,454 crore drought relief fund to Karnataka
The Centre has released Rs 3,454 crore to Karnataka to commence its drought relief efforts. The high power committee, led by Home Minister Amit Shah, approved the release of funds for drought relief (Kharif 2023), a statement from the Ministry of Finance said.
The Karnataka government had requested Rs 18,174 crore, including Rs 5,662 crore for compensation to farmers who lost their crops due to rain failure.
The delay in the release of funds led to a dispute between the Centre and the Congress government in Karnataka. The Karnataka government accused the Centre of having a step motherly attitude towards the southern state, while the Union Government claimed there was enough money in the State Disaster Relief Fund for the Karnataka government to undertake relief works.
The Karnataka government recently sought Supreme Court’s intervention to release the funds, and the Centre assured that it would make a positive decision soon.
Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said the Centre's assurance was a victory for the farmers of Karnataka, who had been demanding Rs 18,172 crore for drought relief works, out of which Rs 5,662 crore are for compensation to farmers.
The Karnataka government had requested Rs 18,174 crore, including Rs 5,662 crore for compensation to farmers who lost their crops due to rain failure.
The delay in the release of funds led to a dispute between the Centre and the Congress government in Karnataka. The Karnataka government accused the Centre of having a step motherly attitude towards the southern state, while the Union Government claimed there was enough money in the State Disaster Relief Fund for the Karnataka government to undertake relief works.
The Karnataka government recently sought Supreme Court’s intervention to release the funds, and the Centre assured that it would make a positive decision soon.
Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said the Centre's assurance was a victory for the farmers of Karnataka, who had been demanding Rs 18,172 crore for drought relief works, out of which Rs 5,662 crore are for compensation to farmers.
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15 children injured as school bus overturns in Ranchi's Mandar
Fifteen children were injured after their school bus overturned in Ranchi on Saturday morning, police said.
The bus with 30 children onboard met with the accident at a turning, about 100 metres from the St Maria School in Mandar, they said. "About 15 children of that school were injured. They are under observation at the nearby Mission Hospital," officer-in-charge of Mandar police station Rahul said. One of the children received a head injury, he said, adding that a CT scan was being done.
Otherwise, all the children are fine, the officer said. An investigation was underway to ascertain the exact cause of the accident, he said.
The bus with 30 children onboard met with the accident at a turning, about 100 metres from the St Maria School in Mandar, they said. "About 15 children of that school were injured. They are under observation at the nearby Mission Hospital," officer-in-charge of Mandar police station Rahul said. One of the children received a head injury, he said, adding that a CT scan was being done.
Otherwise, all the children are fine, the officer said. An investigation was underway to ascertain the exact cause of the accident, he said.
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Rajasthan ACB raids residences of Dudu district collector, revenue official
The Rajasthan Anti Corruption Bureau raided the residences of the Dudu district collector Hanuman Mal Dhaka and village-level revenue official Patwari Hansraj for allegedly demanding a Rs 25 lakh bribe in a land conversion case, an officer said on Saturday.
The raids, conducted on a complaint, ended late Friday night, they added. The complainant claimed that when he cited that he did not have the amount demanded, he was assured that no action would be taken if he could pay up Rs 15 lakh, Deputy Inspector General, Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB), Ravi said in a statement
The "victim" met the collector at his residence, Dak Bungalow, wearing a recorder, and it was clear that Dhaka asked for a bribe of around Rs 7.5 lakh, he added.
A case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act against Dhaka and Hansraj.
The raids, conducted on a complaint, ended late Friday night, they added. The complainant claimed that when he cited that he did not have the amount demanded, he was assured that no action would be taken if he could pay up Rs 15 lakh, Deputy Inspector General, Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB), Ravi said in a statement
The "victim" met the collector at his residence, Dak Bungalow, wearing a recorder, and it was clear that Dhaka asked for a bribe of around Rs 7.5 lakh, he added.
A case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act against Dhaka and Hansraj.
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Manipur: One dead in a gunfight between two groups
A gunfight broke out between two groups in Manipur, resulting in the death of a 33-year-old man, police said on Saturday.
The incident occurred at Sinam Kom, on the border of the Kangpkopi and Imphal East districts on Friday night, they said.
A village volunteer, identified as Laishram Prem, who went missing following the gunfight was found dead on Saturday morning, they added. Security forces were deployed to prevent a flare-up.
The incident occurred at Sinam Kom, on the border of the Kangpkopi and Imphal East districts on Friday night, they said.
A village volunteer, identified as Laishram Prem, who went missing following the gunfight was found dead on Saturday morning, they added. Security forces were deployed to prevent a flare-up.
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LDF MLA P V Anwar booked by Kerala police for remarks against Rahul Gandhi
LDF MLA P V Anwar has been booked for the penal offence of promoting enmity between different groups due to his remarks that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was a "fourth-grade citizen" and that his DNA should be examined.
Anwar, while addressing an election meeting in Palakkad district of Kerala on April 22, had also said that the Congress leader does not deserve to be called by the surname of Gandhi. Following the incident, a case was registered at Nattukal police station against the LDF MLA on Friday, April 26, on the directions of a magisterial court, according to the FIR.
Anwar has been booked for the offences under section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups) of the IPC and section 125 (promoting enmity between classes in connection with election) of the Representation of People Act. The magisterial court's direction came on a complaint moved by advocate Baiju Noel Rosario.
Anwar's remarks against Gandhi came in the wake of the Congress leader's comments questioning why Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was exempted from being interrogated and arrested by central agencies, though several allegations had cropped up against the Left veteran.
The LDF MLA's remarks were later justified by Vijayan who said the Congress leader was not someone beyond criticism.
Anwar, while addressing an election meeting in Palakkad district of Kerala on April 22, had also said that the Congress leader does not deserve to be called by the surname of Gandhi. Following the incident, a case was registered at Nattukal police station against the LDF MLA on Friday, April 26, on the directions of a magisterial court, according to the FIR.
Anwar has been booked for the offences under section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups) of the IPC and section 125 (promoting enmity between classes in connection with election) of the Representation of People Act. The magisterial court's direction came on a complaint moved by advocate Baiju Noel Rosario.
Anwar's remarks against Gandhi came in the wake of the Congress leader's comments questioning why Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was exempted from being interrogated and arrested by central agencies, though several allegations had cropped up against the Left veteran.
The LDF MLA's remarks were later justified by Vijayan who said the Congress leader was not someone beyond criticism.
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Weather
Heatwave sweeps Odisha, Bhubaneswar records 44.6 degrees Celsius
With heat wave sweeping across Odisha, the mercury touched 44.6 degrees Celsius in the state capital Bhubaneswar on Saturday, weather scientist Umashaknar Dash told reporters here.
He said the temperature in Bhubaneswar crossed 44 degrees Celsius for the first time this season.
The IMD said that Bhubaneswar was followed by Jharsuguda which recorded 43.6 degrees Celsius, Rourkela at 42.5, Chandbali 42.4 and Sambalpur 42.1 degrees Celsius.
He said the temperature in Bhubaneswar crossed 44 degrees Celsius for the first time this season.
The IMD said that Bhubaneswar was followed by Jharsuguda which recorded 43.6 degrees Celsius, Rourkela at 42.5, Chandbali 42.4 and Sambalpur 42.1 degrees Celsius.
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Wildlife
Two forest guards among three killed in elephant attack in Assam
Three persons, including two forest guards, were killed and another person was injured in an attack by a wild elephant in Assam’s Sonitpur district on Saturday, West Tezpur Divisional Forest Officer Nipen Kalita said.
A wild elephant strayed into Dhirai Majuli village from nearby Dhekiajuli forest and trampled three persons to death on the spot and injured another employee of the forest department, when the forest personnel were patrolling the area.
Efforts are underway to push back the elephant into the forest, he added.
A wild elephant strayed into Dhirai Majuli village from nearby Dhekiajuli forest and trampled three persons to death on the spot and injured another employee of the forest department, when the forest personnel were patrolling the area.
Efforts are underway to push back the elephant into the forest, he added.
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❖ - Syndicated news, primarily from PTI
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