Fed Up Of His Drinking Habits, Woman Kills Husband, Surrenders Before Cops

A 40-year-old woman bludgeoned her husband to death and surrendered herself before the police in Maharashtra's Nagpur district, an official said on Sunday.

Accused Aruna Patil told the police that she was fed up with her husband's drinking habits.

The woman, a resident of Awandhi village within the limits of New Kamptee police station, said her husband Anand Bhaduji Patil often demanded money from her for alcohol.

The couple had a heated argument on Saturday night after Anand asked for money to buy liquor. When denied, he abused Aruna and went off to sleep.

Aruna then smashed Anand's head with a stone, killing him. She surrendered herself before the police on Sunday morning, the official said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Gujarat Man, 2 Daughters, Son Die By Suicide After Jumping In Front Of Train

A man, his two daughters and a son allegedly committed suicide on Sunday by jumping in front of a train in Botad district in Gujarat, an official said.

The incident took place at 6:30pm between Ningala and Alampur railway stations, Railway Protection Force sub inspector VS Gole said.

"As part of a suicide pact, the four jumped in front of a passenger train on its way from Bhavnagar to Gandhidham. The bodies of the man, his two daughters and a son were found along the tracks," he said.

The man, identified as Mangabhai Vijuda (42), was out on bail after getting arrested on charges of attempt to murder following a fight with a relative, as per police.

The others who died are his daughters Sonam (17) and Rekha (21) and son Jignesh (19).

They belonged to Nana Sakhpar village in the district's Gadhada taluka, he said.

The bodies have been sent for post mortem and further probe into why they took this extreme step is underway, the official said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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गुना में इस दिन जरूरतमंदों को मिलता है फ्री भोजन, सेवा समिति ने उठाया बीड़ा

समिति का उद्देश्य गुना में जितने भी असहाय बुजुर्ग विकलांग हैं, साथ ही भिक्षा मांगकर या जिनकी बिल्कुल भी कार्य करने की छमता नहीं है ऐसे व्यक्तियों को यह संस्था एक दिन अपनी तरफ से भोजन कराना है.

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Man Dies By Suicide, Case Against Wife, Her Sister: Maharashtra Police

An offence has been registered against a 27-year-old woman and her sister for allegedly abetting the suicide of her husband in Maharashtra's Thane district two months ago, police said on Saturday.

Based on a complaint, the police on Friday registered an offence under section 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code against the two sisters, an official said.

Sachinkumar Mishra, a resident of Davdi village in Dombivili, committed suicide by consuming rat poison in October, he said.

As per the complaint, Mishra's wife Pooja frequently spoke to three men, raising doubts that she was having an extramarital affair, the official said.

The victim's sister-in-law Babita Upadayaya also threatened him saying that he would be beaten up and abducted if he interfered with his wife's friend, he said.

The man was allegedly driven to suicide because of his wife's behaviour and sister-in-law's threats, the official said, adding that no arrests have been made in this regard so far.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Babri Masjid Slogan Scribbled On Campus, JNU Orders Repainting Of Walls

A day after a slogan demanding Babri Masjid reconstruction surfaced on a wall of Jawaharlal Nehru University's School of Languages, the university on Friday ordered the repainting of all walls on the campus to remove any slogan or graffiti.

In a meeting with a committee tasked with probing repeated incidents of controversial sloganeering and defacement of walls, the administration asked officials to ramp up security arrangements in all schools of the university.

"We have asked the committee members to visit all schools and submit a report in the next one week on requirements for CCTV cameras in each school after discussions with the respective deans," a senior official told PTI.

The JNU administration has ordered to repaint all walls on the campus to remove any kind of slogan or graffiti, the official said, adding CCTV cameras will be installed in identified areas.

According to university students, the administration on Thursday evening white washed the walls on which the slogan was scribbled. They, however, claimed that in the process sketches of freedom fighters and that of two prime ministers were also wiped off.

The slogan demanding that Babri Masjid be rebuilt appeared on a wall on the first floor of the School of Language building with the "NSUI" written below. Photos of the graffiti soon surfaced on social media, sparking a controversy.

The student outfit distanced themselves from the slogan and demanded an investigation by the administration.

"NSUI-JNU firmly condemns this malicious, disruptive act of defacement and maligning our organisation's name. We are absolutely clear that defacing an organization's wall sketches is not a way to give any socio-political message. We also demand the university administration conduct an impartial investigation into the matter," the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) said in a statement.

The university administration initially denied photos of the graffiti circulating on social media were from the university, but later said it was not aware if it was painted on the campus. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Ram Temple's Consecration Ritual From Jan 16, Preparations In Full Swing

Preparations for the consecration ceremony of Maryada Purushottam Prabhu Shri Ram Temple are going on at a very fast pace. As this moment is coming closer, curiosity among the common people is also increasing.

It is noteworthy that the ritual process will continue on a large scale for seven days in Ayodhya, which will start on January 16. 

The deity of Shri Ram Lalla will be consecrated on 22nd January. On January 22, Shri Ram will be seated in his divinely grand temple with the blessings of Prime Minister Narendra Damodar Das Modi.

In view of this program, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is continuously visiting Ayodhya. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who reached Ayodhya on December 2 and 21, is continuously taking updates on the construction work of Ram temple. A large number of visitors from India and abroad will be present in this program.

Seven-day ritual program

January 16: Atonement by the host appointed by the temple trust, Dashavid bath on the banks of river Saryu, Vishnu worship and Godan.

January 17: The procession will tour Ayodhya with the idol of Ramlala, devotees will reach the temple carrying Saryu water in Mangal Kalash.

January 18: Formal rituals will start with Ganesh Ambika puja, Varun puja, Matrika puja, Brahmin Varan, Vastu puja etc.

January 19: Fire establishment, Navagraha establishment and Havan.

January 20: After washing the sanctum sanctorum of the temple with the holy water of Saryu, there will be Vaastu peace and Annadhivas.

January 21: After a divine bath with 125 urns, Shayadhivas will be done.

January 22: After morning puja, the deity of Ramallah will be consecrated in Mrigashira Nakshatra in the afternoon.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Tamil Nadu Top Cop Gets Threat Mail About 'Bombs Planted At 30 Spots'

The office of the Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu on Wednesday received an e-mail claiming that 'bombs' have been 'planted in 30 spots' in Chennai, an official said.

As soon as the mail was received, which claimed that public places like the Besant Nagar and Elliots beaches formed part of the places under the target, it was brought to the notice of authorities and later forwarded to Chennai city police for appropriate action.

Chennai police have started a probe into the matter and appropriate action is being taken, the official added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Fed Up With Sexual Harassment, College Student Dies By Suicide In Haryana

A girl hanged herself at home after she was allegedly sexually harassed by a person at Safidon town in Jind district.

Jind, which recently came to light for the alleged sexual harassment of 142 minor girls by a school principal who has been in jail since November 7, witnessed the suicide of a college-going girl due to alleged sexual harassment and stalking.

The accused in the incident has been identified as Manish, a native of Jind district.

In this regard, the deceased's uncle lodged a police complaint with Safidon police alleging that a person from the same village used to harass her while going to college.

The uncle, in his complaint stated that the girl used to study in her second year of graduation at a college located in a nearby village.

According to the complaint, the accused stalked her and harassed her in that way for the past six months and she explained the incident before her mother and subsequently hanged herself at home.

"When I reached the spot, she didn't open the door. Eventually, we broke the door and entered the room but found her hanging from the ceiling fan. Doctors declared her dead," he alleged.

Her mother alleged that she was upset with sexual harassment and made an effort to make the accused understand not to disturb her.

"She was harassed repeatedly," the deceased mother said.

According to the mother, the accused used to pass comments and use abusive language.

"She once said that she had become upset with his behaviour. She was allowed to go in her room thinking that she would take some rest but hanged herself," the deceased's mother alleged.

After getting a formal complaint, Safidon police booked the accused under section 306 (abetment of suicide) and launched a probe.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Cyber Frauds Create Fake Profile Of UP Cop To Ask Money From Acquaintances

Police here are looking for cyber thugs who created a fake Facebook profile in the name of Bareilly Inspector General of Police Dr Rakesh Singh and sent messages to his acquaintances asking for money, an officer said on Monday.

Cyber Police Station on Monday registered a complaint in the matter and began its investigations, Additional Superintendent of Police (City) Rahul Bhati said.

The incident came to light when the IG's acquaintances informed him about the messages they were receiving demands for money.

The officer immediately took note of the matter and informed the cyber police, police said.

The Inspector General of Police also wrote on social media about the fake profile and asked his acquaintances to be careful.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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3 Convicted For Kidnapping Newborn From State-Run Hospital Near Mumbai

A court in Maharashtra's Thane district has convicted three people accused of kidnapping a newborn from a government hospital and sentenced them to five years and six months of rigorous imprisonment.

Additional sessions judge GG Bhansali found the accused Gudiya Sonu Rajbhar (43), her husband Sonu (49), and Vilas Kailas Srivastav (57) guilty of charges under Section 363 (kidnapping) and 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) of the Indian Penal Code.

Additional public prosecutor Varsha Chandane informed the court that on January 14, 2018, Gudiya kidnapped a baby boy within four hours of his birth from a government hospital and took him home.

The police later traced the accused and found the baby and reunited him with his parents, she said.

The accused couple had planned to give the infant to the third accused, Vikas Srivastav, the court was told.

Eighteen prosecution witnesses, including the police and experts, were examined during the trial.

The judge, in his order, noted that for the newborn baby, the company of his mother and breastmilk are like oxygen.

The court observed that the accused couple were parents to six children and had been in jail since 2018. Hence, it was appropriate to punish them for the period they had been in jail.

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Stopped From Entering VIP Toll Plaza, Himachal Tourist Fires In Air

A tourist was detained on Saturday after he allegedly opened fire in the air when his car was stopped from passing through the VIP lane at a toll plaza on the Shimla-Kalka national highway, police said.

The incident occurred at the Sanwara toll barrier, a few kilometres from Dharampur, in Himachal Pradesh's Solan district, they added.

Employees of the toll plaza told the police that the tourist had an altercation with them and demanded a discount after his car was stopped from passing through the VIP lane.

He then allegedly opened fire in the air, the police said, citing the employees.

No casualty was reported, the police added.

Confirming the incident, Solan SP Gaurav Singh said the tourist has been detained.

CCTV footage has been found showing the tourist roaming around with a gun and efforts are underway to obtain more video clips of the incident, the SP said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Renowned Poet And Artist Imroz Dies At 97

Noted poet and artist Inderjeet, known as Imroz, known for his enduring relationship with poet Amrita Pritam, passed away in Mumbai on Friday at the age of 97 due to age-related issues, family sources said.

Alka Kwatra, Pritam's daughter-in-law, told PTI that his last rites were performed at the Dahanukarwadi crematorium at Kandivli in north Mumbai in the presence of family and close friends.

The funeral pyre was lit by Pritam's granddaughter.

Amiya Kunwar, a close acquaintance of Imroz, said he was suffering from health issues for some days and had been hospitalised.

Born on January 26, 1926 in Lyallpur, Punjab, Imroz met Amrita Pritam in the 1950s when she was already a well-established figure in Punjabi literature. They lived together for over 40 years until Pritam died in 2005.

Imroz began writing poems after Pritam started keeping unwell, and even after her death, he wrote several poems dedicated to her.

One of Pritam's most celebrated works, 'Main tainu phir milangi,' is said to have been dedicated to Imroz.

Noted artist Prakash Joshi said the passing away of Imroz is an end of an “era and a poetic dream”.

“The relationship between Imroz and Pritam was a beautiful chapter in the field of Indian art and literature,” Joshi said.

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Yes Bank's Rana Kapoor Gets Bail In Money Laundering Case

A special court here on Thursday granted bail to Yes Bank cofounder Rana Kapoor in a money-laundering case linked to alleged financial irregularities at the bank.

He, however, would not walk out of jail at present as he has not been granted bail in a related case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Rana Kapoor, 65, former MD and CEO of the private bank, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in March 2020.

Special judge for PMLA court M G Deshpande granted Rana Kapoor bail on Thursday.

The trial in the case cannot begin and conclude in view of the expectations and guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court (in a different case), therefore he was entitled to relief under section 436-A of the Code of Criminal Procedure and deserves to be released on bail, the judge said.

As per the section 436A, an under-trial prisoner has the right to seek bail on serving more than half of the maximum possible sentence prescribed for the offence he or she is accused of.

Rana Kapoor, on his part, never initiated any proceeding to protract the trial nor did he restrict the ED's proceedings before this court. The ED too did not contend that bail applications filed by Rana Kapoor are causing delay in the investigation, the court said.

In the bail application filed through advocates Rahul Agarwal and Jasmine Purani, Rana Kapoor said he was in prison for more than three-and-half years, half the period of maximum sentence prescribed for the offence under the PMLA.

Considering the status of the case, there was no likelihood that the trial will begin soon, he said.

The ED, on the other hand, contended that Rana Kapoor was one of the main accused persons who misused his position to gain undue financial benefits of Rs 5,050 crore for himself, his family members and associates by involving himself in bribery, corruption and money laundering.

Rana Kapoor received several hundred crores of rupees in kickbacks over bogus loans extended by Yes Bank to DHFL and its group companies owned by Kapil Wadhawan and Dheeraj Wadhawan (both co-accused in the case), the probe agency has alleged. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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25 साल से यह संस्था लावारिस शवों का कर रही अंतिम संस्कार, खुद उठाते हैं खर्च

जबलपुर की ख्वाजा गरीब नवाज कमेटी रोजाना कई ऐसे लावारिस शवों को कंधा देती है, जिनका कोई नहीं होता. यह संस्था उनके धर्म के रीति-रिवाज के साथ अंतिम संस्कार करती है.

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इस धाम में होता है वृंदावन जैसा अहसास, नए वर्ष पर घूमने के लिए जगह है खास

यह धाम मथुरा-वृंदावन की तर्ज पर बनाया गया है. यहां सुंदर वन में श्रीकृष्ण अपने सखा के संग स्थापित हैं और कई जगह राधा-कृष्ण की मूर्ति भी देखने को मिल जाएगी. जिस प्रकार वन में श्रीकृष्ण ग्वालों एवं राधारानी विचरते थे वैसी झांकियां यहां दिखेंगी.

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Chhattisgarh में जारी हुआ धान खरीदी का आदेश | CM Vishnu Deo Sai | CG news | News18 MP CG | Top News

Chhattisgarh में जारी हुआ धान खरीदी का आदेश | CM Vishnu Deo Sai | CG news | News18 MP CG | Top News00:00 Intro00:10 Chhattisgarh में जारी हुआ धान खरीदी का आदेश06:00 बड़ी वारदात टली

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2 Indians Arrested In Nepal With Nearly 400 Kg Of Drugs: Police

Two Indian nationals were arrested with 380 kg of drugs in Nepal's Bharatpur city on Tuesday, police said.

The two, identified as 45-year-old Anil Giri and 30-year-old Rajpal, were arrested by a team of Chitawan district police during a routine security checking of trucks, they said.

Police recovered 380 kg of hashish from their possession.

Anil is the truck driver, while Rajpal is the helper. Both are residents of Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh.

The drug, kept in 28 cartoons, was hidden under a false bottom in the front side of the truck, police in a statement.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Case Against Air Force Officer For Raping, Threatening 24-Year-Old Woman

The Delhi Police has booked an IAF officer for allegedly raping and intimidating a 24-year-old woman, officials on Monday said.

The Delhi Police has registered an FIR under sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and began the investigation into the matter.

"On September 23, last year, I came in contact with a 38-year-old Wing Commander and started talking with her. Last year, On November 12, he forcefully sexually abused her in Delhi after making false promises of marriage," read the FIR, PTI has a copy of the FIR.

The complainant told the Parliament Street police station on December 1 that the accused told her that he liked her a lot and wanted to get married to her.

"Despite repeatedly telling him, he continued to establish a physical relationship with me. I protested as everything was wrong and he must wait until we were married. He paid no heed and took me to his residence as well, where I met his parents," read the FIR.

She also told the police that the accused had lied to her about his marital status and family.

"I got to know about the truth about the accused on November 6 when I saw some photographs of him with another woman and two children on social media. I tried to contact him and his parents, but I was blocked from everywhere and no one responded to my calls. I visited his house in Ambala on November 16 where he raped me again and threatened me with dire consequences," the complainant told the police.

A police officer said that an FIR has been filed and an investigation has been taken up into the matter.

"We are were aware of the allegations. The officer is fully cooperating with the probe," said a PRO (Defence) at Palam.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Border Force Jawan Found Dead In Rajasthan Hotel Room: Police

A BSF jawan hailing from Uttar Pradesh was found dead in a hotel room in Jaisalmer, police said on Sunday.

The jawan was identified as Adarsh Kumar Rai (43), a native of Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, they added.

The body was discovered at a hotel near the Jaisalmer railway station on Saturday night, the police said.

Mr Rai, who was set to leave for his hometown by train on Saturday, could not be reached by the hotel staff, prompting them to alert the police, the officials said.

Upon arrival, the police team opened the hotel room to find the jawan dead, they added.

The body has been sent for post-mortem examination, the police said, adding that the matter is being probed.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Chaos In Telangana Assembly: Congress vs BRS Over Governor's Address

The Telangana Legislative Assembly on Saturday witnessed a stormy debate on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor's address with the ruling Congress and the opposition BRS indulging in a war of words over the track record of the two parties while in power, alleging 'family rule' and others.

BRS Working President K T Rama Rao, who alleged that the Governor's address was full of untruths and that he is "shameful as a member" to listen to such a speech, attacked the Congress that its rule in undivided Andhra Pradesh was marked by parched lands, hunger deaths and suicides.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy led the Congress defence, citing the alleged family rule, non-completion of irrigation projects, ignoring the families of those who sacrificed their lives for the cause of Telangana statehood, leak of question papers and other failures during the 10 years of BRS rule.

"... our government broke the iron gates of Pragati Bhavan (former CM KCR's camp office-cum-official residence). It is a government elected by the people. It is the people's government. Ministers did not have an entry to meet the Chief Minister then. Gaddar (folk singer), who gave a push to the Telangana agitation, did not have an entry. But, today, the government is ready to listen if minorities, Dalits, tribals, women, weaker sections say we have a problem," the CM said.

The debate on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor's address on Saturday is the first debate after the formation of the third Telangana Legislative Assembly following the recent elections.

In a sharp attack on the Congress, Rama Rao, son of former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, alleged that lack of electricity and water supply, dictatorial rule, emergency and attacks on state governments and unfulfilled 'garibi hatao' slogan were the order of the day during the 'Indiramma Rajyam' (the welfare rule of former PM Indira Gandhi promised by the Congress).

He also alleged that Telangana Congress leaders, in an undivided AP, kept quiet for the sake of posts and also when the then CM Kiran Kumar Reddy "refused" to give any funds to Telangana.

State Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar countered Rama Rao by saying a separate Telangana State was achieved with the Congress also fighting for it due to the belief that Telangana was discriminated against in the undivided state.

The debate should be about the government programmes after Telangana formation in 2014, he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said people had fought for Telangana and it was Congress which fulfilled the demand of separate. However, Telangana which was a surplus state is burdended with Rs five lakh crore debt during the BRS regime since 2014, he said.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who intervened, referred to Rama Rao talking about the past and said it was Congress which made former CM KCR as a vice-president in the Youth Congress and it was again Congress which made KCR an MP and an Union Minister.

KCR's nephew and MLA T Harish Rao was made a minister in the government of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in undivided AP when the former was not even a legislator, he said.

It was the late Congress leader P Janardhan Reddy who had fought for Telangana's interests in an undivided AP over the issue of Pothireddypadu head regulator, Revanth Reddy said.

Several incumbent BRS MLAs were in power in undivided AP which is being criticised now, he said.

The government is ready for a debate if the opposition members are keen on a debate about the past, Revanth Reddy said.

The government has presented its vision document and the opposition should make constructive suggestions, he said.

Later, replying to the debate, CM Revanth Reddy hit out at the BRS, saying people of the state gave a verdict against family rule in the recent elections.

In a veiled reference to Rama Rao speaking for the BRS, he said he and people had expected that any experienced members of BRS would get the opportunity to speak but the people were left disappointed as only the "family" got the opportunity.

Referring to the BRS claiming to be a party that ran the Telangana agitation, he asked whether the then Chief Minister (KCR) ever invited any family members of those who sacrificed their lives for the cause of Telangana to his camp office-cum-official residence and extended help.

Without mentioning KCR's name, he said the former CM, however, gave posts to his son, nephew and daughter .

Did the former CM ever review the police cases against the students and others who supported the Telangana cause and tried to remove such cases, he asked.

The BRS claims to have grown on the back of the Telangana agitation but the BRS government disbanded the 'Dharna Chowk' in Hyderabad, a venue for democratic protests, he said. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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India-Made High-Speed Drone Successfully Flight Tested In Karnataka

The Defence Ministry on Friday said a successful flight trial of an indigenous high-speed flying-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was carried out in Karnataka's Chitradurga that propelled India into an elite club of nations to have the technology to produce such a platform.

The autonomous flying wing technology demonstrator has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

#WATCH | DRDO has successfully demonstrated the flight trial of Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator, an indigenous high-speed flying wing UAV from the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR), Chitradurga in Karnataka. With this flight in the tailless configuration, India has… pic.twitter.com/TpnUb3ApXI

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2023

"The DRDO has successfully carried out a flight trial of autonomous flying wing technology demonstrator, an indigenous high-speed flying-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) from the aeronautical test range in Chitradurga," the ministry said.

The successful flying demonstration of this autonomous stealth UAV is a testimony to maturity in the technology readiness levels in the country, it said.

"With this flight in the tailless configuration, India has joined the elite club of countries to have mastered the controls for the flying wing technology," the Defence Ministry said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has complimented the DRDO, the armed forces and the industry for the successful flight trial of the system. He said the successful development of such critical technologies indigenously will further strengthen the armed forces.

This UAV is designed and developed by DRDO's Aeronautical Development Establishment.

The ministry said the maiden flight of this aircraft was demonstrated in July 2022, followed by six flight trials in various developmental configurations using two in-house manufactured prototypes.

"These flight tests led to achievements in the development of robust aerodynamic and control system; integrated real-time and hardware-in-loop simulation, and state-of-the-art ground control stations," it said.

"The team had optimised the avionic systems, integration and flight operations towards the successful seventh flight in the final configuration," the ministry added.

The aircraft prototype, with a complex arrowhead wing platform, is designed and manufactured with lightweight carbon prepreg composite material developed indigenously.

"Also, the composite structure, impregnated with fibre interrogators for health monitoring, is a showcase of 'Aatmanirbharta' in aerospace technology," the ministry said.

"The autonomous landing of this high-speed UAV, without the need for ground radars/infrastructure/pilot, showcased a unique capability demonstration, allowing take-off and landing from any runway with surveyed coordinates," it said.

The ministry said this was possible using onboard sensor data fusion with indigenous satellite-based augmentation using GPS-aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) receivers to improve the accuracy and integrity of GPS navigation. PTI MPB NSD NSD

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Special Team To Probe Mahadev App Promoters' Transactions With Firms

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday informed the legislative assembly that a special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to probe alleged illegal transactions between certain financial and real estate firms in the state and the promoters of the controversial Mahadev betting app.

Mr Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, was responding to a calling attention motion raised by BJP legislator Ashish Shelar.

Several betting apps like the Mahadev app have proliferated across the country and ordinary people were getting cheated of their money on these platforms, the BJP MLA said earlier.

The money collected through online transactions of the Mahadev app was used to create fake Indian documents for Bangladeshi citizens, and thousands of fake accounts were opened and fake transactions took place through the AU Small Finance Bank, he alleged.

A case of evasion of 28 percent Service Tax and excise duty has been registered in Maharashtra against the Mahadev app, he said.

"The second accused in the FIR, Amit Sharma, is the partner of the close aide of Mustaqeem, the brother of the Mumbai bomb blast case accused and underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, and both are accused of operating the Mahadev App," Mr Shelar said.

Sharma and his partner allegedly invested money in Vijay Jain's JP Infra which is said to be carrying out projects in Mumbai's Goregaon and Mira Road areas, the BJP MLA claimed.

"Amit Sharma and Vijay Jain are constructing JP Deck in Goregaon and Edelweiss Group has financed it to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore," he alleged.

Mr Fadnavis said in his reply that the Enforcement Directorate was already investigating the Mahadev app case.

"As the scope of this crime is across the country, an SIT has also been formed in this case (by Maharashtra police)," he said, adding that it will carry out probe in the next two months based on the information provided by Mr Shelar.

As many as 16 accounts were created at the AU Small Finance Bank for depositing money for betting and playing online games through the Mahadev app and also for remitting the award money that had been won, and information of 15 bank accounts or account holders has been obtained, he said.

Edelweiss Group, meanwhile, refuted Mr Shelar's allegations.

"Edelweiss has no financial relationship with JP Infra Mumbai, JP Infra India, and has not financed projects like JP Deck in Goregaon, neither anywhere else as alleged," it said in a statement.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Chhattisgarh News : CM Vishnu Dev Sai ने ली शपथ, संभाला कार्यभार | Breaking News | Latest News

Chhattisgarh News : CM Vishnu Dev Sai ने ली शपथ, संभाला कार्यभार | Breaking News | Latest NewsCM Vishnu Dev Sai पहुंचे मंत्रालय, संभाला कार्यभार, सीएम ने कहा आज नहीं लिया कोई बड़ा फैसला

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Gujarat Court Rejects Arvind Kejriwal's Adjournment Plea In PM Degree Case

A metropolitan court here on Wednesday rejected Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh's applications seeking adjournment in proceedings in a defamation case filed against them over their remarks regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's educational degree.

The court of additional chief metropolitan magistrate SJ Panchal rejected the adjournment applications moved by the lawyers representing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders. The court also reserved its order for Thursday on Kejriwal's plea stating that he cannot be prosecuted without sanction under section 197 of CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) because he is a public servant.

The two leaders are facing a criminal defamation case filed by the Gujarat University (GU) over their "sarcastic" and "derogatory" statements in connection with PM Modi's degree.

Kejriwal and Singh moved pleas seeking adjournment of the case on the grounds that their petitions challenging the summons are pending before the Gujarat High Court and are likely to be taken up in February next year.

Taking strong objection to the adjournment applications, Gujarat University's lawyer Amit Nair said that the HC has not granted any stay on the trial, and witnesses to be examined in the case are present in the court.

Nair also argued against Kejriwal's plea challenging his prosecution in the matter on the grounds that since he is a public servant, sanction for prosecution should have been obtained under section 197 of CrPC.

The lawyer representing the GU said that the utterance of defamatory words does not fall under the category of discharge of official function and hence such a sanction was not required in the present case. He said that the application was a tactic to delay the matter. The court reserved its order for Thursday.

Kejriwal and Singh had approached the Gujarat High Court for a stay on the defamation proceedings against them till the disposal of their revision plea in a sessions court.

The court had summoned the two leaders after observing that prima facie there appeared to be a case against them under section 500 (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

GU registrar Piyush Patel had filed a defamation case against the two leaders over their comments after the Gujarat HC set aside the Chief Information Commissioner's order on PM Modi's degree.

They made "defamatory" statements in press conferences and on their Twitter, now X, handles targeting the university over Modi's degree, the complainant stated.

He said their comments targeting Gujarat University were defamatory and hurt the prestige of the university which has established its name among the public.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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BBC India Restructures For New Entity To Comply With Foreign Investment Rules

Four BBC staff members on Tuesday announced plans to leave the organisation and form a new entity in India named Collective Newsroom, which will provide services "as commissioned by the BBC" and in compliance with the country's foreign direct investment (FDI) rules.

According to a statement from the UK-based public service broadcaster, Collective Newsroom has been established as an Indian company that is wholly owned by Indian citizens. It replaces BBC World Service India to continue to provide language-based content.

The move follows the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) premises in India facing "surveys" by tax authorities and an ensuing investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over alleged FDI violations earlier this year.

"The establishment of Collective Newsroom Private Limited ensures the BBC and Collective Newsroom can meet their shared commitment to Indian audiences and cover stories on India that matter to global audiences. It is in compliance with the Indian Foreign Direct Investment law," reads the BBC statement.

"Collective Newsroom has been established as an Indian company, wholly owned by Indian citizens, with four existing staff members leaving the BBC to lead Collective Newsroom. These senior leaders have a wealth of editorial and programme-making experience," it said.

"The BBC will commission Collective Newsroom to produce its six Indian language services as well as Indian digital output and Indian YouTube channel in English for audiences globally," it added.

"Audiences in India can be assured that the BBC's Indian language services and unique range of quality output will inform, educate and entertain audiences across our diverse and highly engaged country under the agreement between the BBC and Collective Newsroom. We launch Collective Newsroom with big ambitions for audiences in India and beyond," said Rupa Jha, Senior News Editor, BBC India, and founding shareholder of Collective Newsroom.

The BBC said it has a long-held and deep-rooted place in India's media landscape, having first launched the Hindi language service in 1940. Since then, it has developed a range of BBC output, expanding the number of Indian language services and growing audience figures from "decade-to-decade with its agenda-setting and high impact journalism".

"The BBC's presence in India is steeped in a rich history that has always put audiences first, so we warmly welcome the formation of Collective Newsroom which continues that progression. The BBC will get first class content from Collective Newsroom that will be rooted in India and in line with the editorial standards audiences expect from the BBC," said Jonathan Munro, Deputy CEO, BBC News.

Liliane Landor, Senior Controller, BBC News International Services, added: "Two of the BBC's critical strengths are its truly global output for audiences and our reputation as a trusted source of news.

"We are deeply committed to excellence in journalism for and from India, and this agreement ensures the continued production of independent, international and impartial journalism that the BBC News brand is renowned for in India and around the world." Under the new arrangement, activity for BBC Monitoring and the BBC's English language newsgathering operation for global output will remain with the BBC.

In India, content is provided in six languages - BBC News Hindi, BBC News Marathi, BBC News Gujarati, BBC News Punjabi, BBC News Tamil, BBC News Telugu, as well as in English, to 82 million people around the country on average each week.

According to official statistics, BBC News Hindi is the BBC's language service with the largest audience and in 2023, across all platforms, its weekly reach figure grew 27 per cent year-on-year.

The BBC World Service claims a reach of 318 million people on average every week globally and operates 42 different language services.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Tamil Nadu Hospital Under Fire For Handing Over Baby's Body In Box

The mortuary at a government hospital here handed over the body of a baby in a cardboard carton much to the shock of the father, who struggled in vain to save his child during the floods last week.

The incident drew spontaneous criticism from several quarters prompting the hospital authorities to suspend a staff at the mortuary for negligence.

A senior official at the Kilpauk Medical College Hospital on Monday said an inquiry has been ordered into the incident.

"I accepted the corpse given to me in a cardboard box on December 10 and took it to be laid to rest at the mosque with the help of volunteers," Masood Basha of Pulianthope said.

As he opened the box to bury the body he was shocked to see the stillborn child without being wrapped in a white shroud. "I had to obtain a white cloth, wrapped the body, and laid her to rest," Basha said.

A traumatised Basha said, "I couldn't save her... I didn't have the money to even bury the child. I cannot blame anyone except my misfortune." 

Recalling his efforts to save his child, he told media that his wife Sowmya developed preterm labour pains on December 6 at 11 am. He couldn't manage to get an ambulance to rush his wife to a hospital due to inundation and poor mobile connectivity, he said.

By the time he could arrange a vehicle to take her to a hospital, his wife delivered a stillborn baby at home. His initial attempt to seek medical assistance from a private hospital did not yield any result due to power failure.

He managed to take the mother and baby to the Kilpauk Medical College hospital with the help of the police. At the GH, the doctors confirmed that a stillborn girl child was delivered, and later sent the body to the mortuary.

Slamming the ruling DMK for the negligence, BJP Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai said the once sought-after medical infrastructure in the country has today hit rock bottom under the DMK rule.

There were no ambulances to take his wife to the hospital on time and later, the body of his baby were handed over in a carton box by a Government Hospital in Chennai, he said.

"The State Government should realise that brushing this aside by announcing compensation or a namesake suspension is not an answer to the agony faced by people dependent on Government hospitals, and constructive steps to improve medical infra are the need of the hour," Mr Annamalai said in a post on the social media platform X.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Rajasthan Man Stripped, Beaten, Threatened Over "Explicit Videos": Cops

Two persons, including a woman, were arrested in a honey trap case in Jodhpur on Sunday in which they allegedly forcibly shot “explicit videos” of a man, and threatened to make them "viral" if he did not pay them Rs 1 crore, officials said.

The accused allegedly physically assaulted the victim, an owner of a school, stripped him of all his clothes and made over 25 explicit videos with him on December 7, they said.

Anita Bishnoi, the accused, invited the man to her house when he had gone to attend a wedding being held in the woman's neighbourhood, according to the complaint filed by the victim's brother. “When he went into her house after attending the wedding, she and her accomplices physically assaulted him, stripped him of all his clothes, made over 25 explicit videos with him and demanded Rs 1 crore from him in two equal parts,” the complaint said.

The accused forced him to admit on video that he was in love with the woman and had gone there of his own free will, it said. Deputy Commissioner of Police Amrita Duhan said that Bishnoi and one co-accused have been arrested and further investigation has been initiated to identify the rest. Police recovered opium from the Bishnoi's house during a search, she said.

After shooting videos at Bishnoi's house, the accused forced the man into a car and drove in Mandore and Kaylana areas, police said. The accused released the victim in the morning, asking him to bring the money soon, they said. Police found during the investigation that the woman had already called her accomplices before inviting the victim to her house, they added.

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100 Lord Ram Idols To Be Taken Out In Ayodhya Week Before Temple Opening

A procession of tableaux displaying scenes from the life of Lord Rama with 100 idols of the deity will be taken out in Ayodhya on January 17 to mark the start of the week-long celebration for the Ram temple consecration ceremony.

The procession will have statues and pictures depicting the life of Lord Rama from his birth to exile, the victory over Lanka and his return to Ayodhya, Ranjit Mandal, the chief sculptor engaged in preparing the tableaux, said.

The procession will mark the formal beginning of the week-long celebrations for consecration ceremony.  "I am fortunate to have got the opportunity to prepare these idols. A total of 100 idols of Ram in various stages will be displayed. Over 60 of these idols have been prepared so far," Mandal said.

A new idol of Ram Lalla will be placed in the sanctum sanctorum of the newly constructed Ram Temple.

Talking to PTI, Anil Mishra, a trustee, said, "Ram Lala's throne will be placed on a lotus flower pedestal made of marble, which has also been installed in the sanctum sanctorum" "The height of the throne will be decided in a way so that at 12 noon on Ramnavami, the sun's rays touch the forehead of Ram Lala and illuminate the sanctum sanctorum," he said.

The consecration ceremony is scheduled for January 22. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath along with hundreds of dignitaries are expected to attend the ceremony.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Refrain From Benefiting Certain Communities For Political Gain": Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that questions have been raised regarding the prioritization of specific communities after the Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar conducted a caste survey and further urged the Bihar government to address the issues raised in this survey.

"As far as the caste survey is concerned, it was decided when the BJP was a part of the Bihar government. When the resolution came, we were in support of this and we also supported the report that was given after the survey was conducted. The law was also passed in Bihar Vidhan Sabha but there were several questions raised regarding the survey, which included giving priority to Muslims and some other communities. Several other backward caste delegations met the leaders of the BJP, RJD and JDU. I urge the Bihar government to find a solution for all the questions raised in this survey," Mr Shah told ANI on Sunday.

Mr Shah also emphasized that political parties should avoid favoring specific communities for their own political gain.

"The political parties should refrain from benefiting certain communities for their own political benefits. On the other hand, they should also not do injustice with certain communities for their own political gains," said Mr Shah.

The results from Bihar, a politically crucial state in the country, have the capacity to disrupt the political landscape nationwide, leading to calls for a comparable census on a national scale.

According to the data released on October 2, Scheduled Castes make up 19.65 per cent and the Scheduled Tribes 1.68 per cent of the population of the state.

The data also said that the Hindus comprise 81.99 per cent of the population, Muslims 17.7 per cent, Christians 0.05 per cent, Sikhs 0.01 per cent, Buddhists 0.08 per cent and other religions 0.12 per cent.

The data said that Yadavs, the OBC group to which Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav belongs, is the largest and accounts for 14.27 per cent of the state's population.

Kushwaha and Kurmi's communities form 4.27 per cent and 2.87 per cent of the population, the caste survey said.

Bhumihars constitute 2.86 per cent of the population, Brahmins 3.66 per cent, Kurmis 2.87 per cent, and Musahars 3 per cent.

The numbers stand in contrast to the quantum of reservations, which is 27 per cent that the OBC population gets in government jobs and admissions to educational institutions.

The total population of Bihar is more than 13 crore.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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KCR Unanimously Elected Leader Of BRS Legislature Party In Telangana

Former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) was on Saturday elected as legislature party leader by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLAs.

The BRS Legislative Party met at Telangana Bhavan and unanimously elected KCR as their leader in the newly-elected assembly.

The meeting, chaired by BRS Parliamentary Party leader K Keshava Rao, saw former Speaker Pocharam Srinivas Reddy proposing Chandrashekhar Rao's name and former ministers T Srinivas Yadav and Kadiyam Srihari supporting it.

The meeting unanimously passed a resolution entrusting the responsibility of selecting the rest of the office-bearers on KCR.

KCR has undergone a successful hip surgery. BRS lost the assembly polls earlier this month with the Congress forming its first government in the southern state, which is also India's youngest.

BRS had been in power for the past 10 years.

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India Biennale Kicks Off At Red Fort, 7 Themes For 7 Days

The maiden India Art, Architecture and Design Biennale celebrating the rich tapestry of the country's artistic and cultural heritage kicked off at the historic Red Fort complex here on Friday evening with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating it.

Prior to the inauguration ceremony, the prime minister also visited some of the thematic pavilions set up in three British-era barracks of the Red Fort.

Large biennale banners have been put up at the venue, which has been decked up colourfully.

From ornate doors to magnificent ancient temples and from heritage stepwells to rich textile designs, the art and architectural legacy of India have been showcased at the biennale.

Seven "specially curated" thematic pavilions have been set up in the three barracks - A1, A2 and B4 - that have been refurbished for the event.

The seven-day India Art, Architecture and Design Biennale (IAADB), helmed by the Union Culture Ministry, will open to the public from December 9. And, while the biennale will end on December 15, the exhibitions will continue till March 31 next year.

India Art, Architecture & Design Biennale is a celebration of our country's diverse heritage and vibrant culture. https://t.co/qml1zd9cLK

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 8, 2023

Each day of the event has a different theme that will be complemented by "exclusively curated exhibitions" for which "seven distinguished curators have been onboarded", a senior official had earlier said.

The seven themes are 'Doors of India', 'Gardens of India', 'Baolis of India', 'Temples of India', 'Architectural Wonders of Independent India', 'Indigenous Design' and 'Women in Architecture and Design' and have been named as 'Pravesh', 'Bagh-e-Bahar', 'Sampravah', 'Sthapaya', 'Vismaya', 'Deshaj' and 'Samatva'.

Thrilled to have visited the India Art, Architecture & Design Biennale today. Such forums are vital in celebrating and nurturing our rich cultural heritage. They provide a unique platform for creative minds to converge, inspire and keep the vibrant legacy of Indian traditions… pic.twitter.com/s1vzMrlI3R

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 8, 2023

In his nearly 25-minute address, the Prime Minister underlined the country's rich ancient history in art, culture and architecture, which has drawn people to India from around the world.

India's vibrant culture and ancient heritage sites attract tourists from all over the world, he said.

"Today, with the sentiment of 'taking pride in our heritage' (virasat par gaurav), the country is again taking it forward… In 'Azadi ka Amrit Kaal', India is charting new dimensions in cultural prosperity, and taking concrete steps for it. This biennale being held in India is another great step in that direction," Modi said.

In his opening remarks, Modi said, "This Red Fort itself is very historic. This Red Fort is not just a building, but it is history. It has been steady from before Independence and since. I welcome you all to this World Heritage Site." The biennale is being helmed by the Ministry of Culture which earlier this year had also organised the International Museum Expo and the Festival of Libraries.

Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy, Minister of State for Culture Meenakashi Lekhi, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and noted architect Diana Kellogg were also present on the dais.

Kellogg, in her address, called the biennale an "unprecedented initiative" by the Indian government, and said that society must work to create a "luminous future" based on holistic ideas of sustainability where everyone is treated equally.

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"Lok Sabha Polls Ours": Lalu Yadav Dismisses BJP's Assembly Elections Win

RJD president Lalu Prasad on Thursday dismissed the BJP's claim that its recent victory in assembly polls in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh has set the tone for its win in next year's Lok Sabha elections.

The septuagenarian leader, who is a staunch ally of the Congress, also berated Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his much talked about speech on Jammu and Kashmir inside Parliament the day before.

"How can they (BJP) win? The victory in Lok Sabha polls is going to be ours and it will be comprehensive," said the RJD supremo, who is a key figure in the INDIA coalition, with trademark aplomb.

Journalists had approached him with queries about the buoyancy in the BJP camp ever since it wrested Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh while retaining power in Madhya Pradesh, defying the incumbency factor.

He was also asked about Shah's speech inside the Lok Sabha on Wednesday when the Union Home Minister had asserted that PoK was a part of India and called for declaration of ceasefire without taking the control of entire Kashmir a "Nehruvian blunder".

"What does Amit Shah know? He has no knowledge of anything," said Prasad, who is known for pulling no punches while attacking his political adversaries.

The former chief minister of Bihar, who also held a cabinet berth in the first Manmohan Singh administration, added by way of twisting the knife, "Amit Shah is responsible for the violence we see in Jammu and Kashmir, and in PoK." Replying to another query, the RJD supremo said he was looking forward to attending the next meeting of INDIA which was "likely to be held on December 17-18".

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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AAP vs BJP On Corruption In Delhi Flood Department, Payment To Contractors

The BJP on Wednesday trained its guns at the Arvind Kejriwal government in Delhi, alleging "corruption" in the award of tenders by the flood and irrigation department and payments to contractors without any work being done on the ground.

Flood and Irrigation Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, however, fired back at BJP, asking it to first answer why files were not sent by the officers to the minister in charge of the department for approval.

"Since March 2023, since I took charge of the department and till date, no file of these works was sent by the officers for the minister's approval," Mr Bharadwaj claimed.

Virendra Sachdeva, the BJP's Delhi unit chief, and Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Ramvir Bidhuri during a joint press conference showed copies of purported documents and also interacted with party workers present on the spots where the work was tendered by the department.

"The flood (and irrigation) department of the Kejriwal government is setting new records of corruption, as is shown that payments of crores of rupees were done even though no work was to be seen on the ground," Mr Sachdeva alleged.

A delegation of BJP leaders will meet Lt Governor VK Saxena and request him for a high-level probe into the "scam", Mr Sachdeva added.

"In four cases of work tendered at Burari, Tikri, Kheda Kalan and Siraspur, there was manipulation in the tender and also, under pressure of the minister concerned of the Kejriwal government, the money was paid without work (being done) by showing running bills," Mr Sachdeva charged.

Mr Bidhuri said the BJP leaders will also lodge a complaint with the Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) on the corruption at the flood and irrigation department.

"Corruption has spread to every department of the Kejriwal government. In the last two weeks, we have exposed tender and other scams of the Delhi Jal Board, after which the Kejriwal government is trying to spread the illusion of a water crisis in Delhi to delay the investigation," Mr Sachdeva claimed.

He charged that drain and road tenders for the extended Lal Dora area work in Kheda Kala were worth Rs 3.28 crore. It was awarded to a construction company that had quoted Rs 1.58 crore and, despite no work being done on the ground, more than half of the amount was paid in the name of running bills.

In case of drain repairs and painting work in Burari ahead of the G20 Summit, the tender amount was for Rs 76.56 lakh and the successful bidder quoted a price of Rs 38.98 lakh. However, they were paid Rs 43 lakh despite no work being done, he claimed.

In Narela's Tikri village, a construction company was paid Rs 50 lakh for a bid of Rs 1.91 crore for a project under the Chief Minister Road Reconstruction Scheme, although no work is visible on the ground, he alleged.

Bidhuri alleged that in the extended Lal Dora area of Siraspur, a work for construction of reinforced concrete road and drain was awarded to a construction company but no work was done.

"I challenge Chief Minister Kejriwal to show even one road or drain constructed in that area. I will quit politics if he shows me even one," Mr Bidhuri asserted.

In his response, Mr Bharadwaj alleged that the BJP-led Centre and the Lt Governor were running Delhi through their "favourite" officers.

He claimed that the flood and irrigation department secretary was instructed by him in writing that all files related to projects costing more than Rs 25 lakh should be sent to the minister for in-principle approval but it was not being followed by the officers.

"This was to ensure that the minister is at least aware of the projects being undertaken by the department," he said.

Bharadwaj further charged that the Centre's law relating to Delhi have increased the powers of the officers and causing a rise in corruption at the departments of the government.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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High Court Refuses To Renew Passport Of Man Accused In Murder Case

The Karnataka High Court has upheld the Passport Authority's rejection of a man's application for the renewal of his passport for 10 years as he is facing a trial in a murder case.

The High Court has, however, said that he can approach the related court seeking the issuance of a short-validity passport as per law.

Santhosh Beejadi Srinivasa, 43, from Tumakuru, holds a Schengen area visa (for 27 European countries) but was unable to travel since his passport had just six months' validity left.

His passport will expire on April 10, 2024 and he has sought the renewal of the passport for the next 10 years.

However, his application was declined on account of the pending criminal case.

He then approached the High Court and Justice M Nagaprasanna gave the judgement on December 4 on his petition.

Referring to the criminal case, the court said, "The applicant is under a cloud. If an applicant of the kind in the case at hand, wants to walk over the clouds, the cloud over such applicant must walk away."

The question before the court was, "Whether the pendency of a criminal case would bar the issuance or renewal/re-issuance of a passport to a citizen of this nation?" To answer this question, the court referred to the Passports Act, 1967 and several provisions under it.

The High Court also specifically referred to the Government of India's Ministry of External Affairs notification of August 25, 1993, "GSR 570(E)" which deals with this kind of situation.

"It permits the issuance of a short validity passport, pursuant to the orders that would be passed by the concerned court according to the specified period and if no period is specified, the passport would be issued for a period of one year."

"Therefore, it is for the applicant against whom a criminal case is pending, in any court of law in the country, to approach the concerned court before which the proceeding is pending, and seek permission to travel; "If such permission is granted, it will have to be in tune with the conditions in GSR 570," the court said.

Santhosh Beejadi's mother died under unnatural circumstances and subsequently, he, his wife and his father were arrayed as accused in the case and charged with murder.

The court said that it was a case where he could even be given capital punishment and therefore cannot be given a passport for 10 years.

"Therefore, it is a case where the petitioner is one of the accused in an offence which can even result in capital punishment. The trial is in progress. The petitioner is not absolved of the crime, by any competent court of law even to this date," the HC said.

Santosh Beejadi's counsel had argued that he had been allowed to travel with the permission of the jurisdictional court earlier even while the trial was pending.

The High Couty, however, said, "It is an altogether different circumstance." The court said that the denial of re-issuance of the passport was in consonance with Section 6 of the Passport Act.

Sub-clause (f) of the Section says that "where proceedings in respect of an offence alleged to have been committed by the applicant are pending before a criminal court in India, the passport authority is empowered to deny the issue of travel document," the court said.

Rejecting the contention that other benches of the High Court had earlier ruled that the pendency of criminal cases should not come in the way of re-issuance or renewal of a passport, the court said that it "would be applicable only to the issuance of a fresh passport and not for renewal or re-issuance".

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Delhi's Air Quality 'Very Poor', Minimum Temperature At 14.6 Degrees

The air quality in the national capital was in the lower spectrum of the 'very poor' category on Monday while the minimum temperature settled at 14.6 degrees Celsius, five notches above the season's average.

Delhi's air quality was within the lower range of the 'very poor' category on Monday with a 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) reading of 310 at 4 pm.

The forecast suggested that the air quality is expected to persist in the 'very poor' category from Tuesday to Thursday and likely remain in this range for the subsequent six days.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good' , 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the city recorded a high of 24.7 degrees Celsius, one notch below the season's average. The humidity levels oscillated between 58 per cent and 98 per cent on Monday.

The weather department has predicted mainly clear sky on Tuesday with moderate fog in the morning. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to settle around 25 degrees Celsius and 11 degrees Celsius respectively.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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INDIA Bloc Members To Meet Today Ahead Of Winter Session Of Parliament

With the Parliament's Winter Session set to begin on Monday, the leaders of various opposition parties of the INDIA bloc would meet in the chamber of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge to chalk out their strategy in both Houses.

Sources said that the INDIA alliance partners' parliamentary leaders would meet on Monday morning in Mr Kharge's chamber in the Parliament House.

The opposition leaders have been holding meetings during the Parliament sessions to evolve a joint strategy in both the Houses to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.

The Winter Session of Parliament is likely to start on a stormy note as the expulsion of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra is on the cards on the first day itself.

This is the last full session ahead of next year's general elections and the BJP would like to clear all pending legislations during the Winter Session.

Among the bills pending before the Parliament include the new bills to replace the IPC, Criminal Penal Code and the Evidence Act besides the bill on appointment of the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners.

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Jharkhand Woman Branded 'Witch', Killed By Family: Cops

A 48-year-old woman was beaten to death allegedly by her family in Jharkhand's Palamu district, suspecting that she was practicing witchcraft, police said on Saturday.

The woman's brother-in-law and his two sons were arrested in connection with the incident that happened at Basriakala village in Chainpur police station area on Friday night, they said.

The woman, a widow, was allegedly killed by her brother-in-law with a stick, Superintendent of Police Reeshma Ramesan said.

"He then threw the body in the village well with the help of his two sons," she said.

The stick used in the murder was recovered with blood on it, she said.

The body was sent to the Medinirai Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) for post-mortem examination, she added.

"A special investigation is being carried out in the case," Ms Ramesan said.

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Depression In Bay Of Bengal To Become Cyclonic Storm By Tomorrow

The depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal will intensify into a cyclonic storm on December 3 resulting in heavy to very heavy rains in the northern coastal districts of Tamil Nadu and interior parts, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday.

The city and its neighbourhoods in the adjoining districts saw sharp spells of rain late on Saturday.

Chief Minister M K Stalin said that following a forecast of heavy rains for the next two days, ministers, MPs, MLAs and local body members among others should help the people in the respective localities with their essential needs.

Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena reviewed the precautionary measures to be taken, with senior officials here.

South Central Railway announced the cancellation of 118 long-distance trains from December 3 to 7 due to cyclone Michaung.

Thereafter, it would move nearly northwards, almost parallel and close to the south Andhra Pradesh coast, and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam during the forenoon of Tuesday, the IMD said in a bulletin.

The cyclonic activity would lead the winds to blow at a speed of 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph.

According to S Balachandran, deputy director general of the Regional Meteorological Centre, here, heavy to very heavy rains are likely to occur over Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvallur, Chennai, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Chengalpattu, Villupuram and Cuddalore districts in Tamil Nadu.

Squally wind prevailing over the southwest Bay of Bengal is likely to become gales reaching 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph from December 2 night to December 4. Thereafter, it would gradually decrease.

From October 1 till date, the region recorded 34 cm rainfall against the normal 36 cm during the north east Monsoon period, so far, Balachandran said. Chennai recorded 62 cm against the normal rainfall of 67 cm during this period.

Cancelled trains include about 40 between Chennai and other destinations and those passing through the metro, a release said on Saturday.

Officials at the Chennai International Airport also reviewed the preparedness vis-a-vis Cyclone Michaung.

A meeting was chaired by Airport Director C V Deepak with concerned departments on Saturday to evaluate the preparedness for handling the situation, an official release said.

A number of measures have been initiated as a precautionary measure in view of the weather forecast. This includes the setting up of a core team consisting of members from various departments for close monitoring of the situation and to take necessary action as would be the requirement.

The updates regarding the system were being obtained regularly from IMD and shared with all stakeholders for better preparation, while the water level in Adyar river was also being monitored.

Airports Authority of India engineering departments have been instructed to carry out regular checks and actions as per standard operating procedures in place like clearing of drains, gratings, stocking/arranging sufficient men and materials for meeting the contingency, among others, it said.

"A Special Task Force of senior AAI officials is inspecting the airfield and terminal building regularly to ensure smooth operations in adverse conditions. The meeting followed up with operational area inspection. Airport Director advised all stake holders to be alert due wet runway conditions and changing visibility parameters," it added.

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Pakistan's Anti-Corruption Watchdog Files Case Against Imran Khan

Pakistan's anti-graft watchdog on Friday formally filed a case against former premier Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi and others in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption after completing a probe.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) alleged that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief and his wife obtained billions of rupees and land worth dozens of acres from Bahria Town Ltd, a private land developing company, for legalising Rs 50 billion that was confiscated and returned to the cash-strapped country by the UK.

Apart from Khan and Bibi, six others including Bahria Town owner and leading property tycoon Malik Riaz have been named among the accused.

Five more named in the case are Farhat Shahzadi, a close friend of Bibi, former special assistants to the prime minister Shahzad Akbar and Zulfi Bukhari, legal expert for the PTI government's Assets Recovery Unit (ARU), Ziaul Mustafa Nasim and Ahmed Riaz.

The 71-year-old leader was initially arrested by NAB for probe in the case on May 9 which resulted in widespread violence by his supporters.

The cricketer-turned-politician was released by the Supreme Court after a couple of days.

He was again arrested on November 14 during incarceration in the Adiala Jail in the cipher case.

Khan was then handed over to the watchdog on physical remand.

At the last hearing of the case on November 27, accountability court judge Muhammad Bashir rejected NAB's request for extending Khan's physical remand and instead sent him to jail on a 14-day judicial remand.

At the previous hearing on November 24, the judge had instructed NAB to conclude its investigation and present a report.

NAB in the case filed on Friday stated the "accused [...] were given multiple opportunities to justify and provide information, but they deliberately, with a malafide intention, refused to provide the information on one or the other pretext.

"Furthermore, it is established through their responses that they have nothing in their defence to rebut the above-mentioned allegations. Thus, they all have committed an offence" under the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO).

It added that the investigation proceedings and finding "established that accused persons in connivance with each other have committed the offence of corruption and corrupt practices" as defined under the NAO.

It pleaded that the eight suspects be tried and punished by the law.

Khan is currently in the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi facing several cases, most of them launched after his ouster from the government in April last year.

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Exit Polls 2023 : कौन है एग्जिट पोल में आगे ? | MP Election | CG election | CM Shivraj | CM baghel

Exit Polls 2023 : कौन है एग्जिट पोल में आगे ? | MP Election | CG election | CM Shivraj | CM baghel

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Fraud Cases In Supreme Court Tend To Increase As Polls Near: Chief Justice

The number of "fraud cases" in the Supreme Court tends to increase as elections draw closer and the court becomes a site for political engagement, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud said on Thursday.

Speaking at the Constitution Day function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) in the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Chandrachud said we all exist together and the Indian Constitution tells us that "we either survive or we perish together".

"But above all, I think it is important that on a day where we celebrate the Constitution, we learn to discharge our duties to the cause of justice. Our duty to the cause of justice ranks much higher than the success or failure in individual cases," he said.

"Just yesterday, I had to deal with a fraud case. The Supreme Court deals with fraud cases every day. Some courts have more than their share of fraud cases and there are some times as elections come, the number of fraud cases tends to increase in the court and we as judges realise it," the CJI said.

Constitution Day is celebrated across the country on November 26 every year.

Chief Justice Chandrachud said after elections get over, things settle down and "as the polls come closer and closer, the court becomes a site for political engagement. That is a truth of our society. I am not looking at it with any value judgement".

Chief Justice Chandrachud, who also addressed the gathering in Hindi for a few minutes, said freedom and the Constitution have an unbreakable relationship.

Speaking about the legal profession, the CJI said it is a profession of diversity, including diversity in terms of gender. He said be it the judges or lawyers, all have come from different parts of the country in search of a better livelihood.

"But in the process of giving each one of us a better livelihood, we are also engaged in providing a better existence to our fellow citizens. That is the big power which all of you command as lawyers," he said.

Referring to the attire of judges and lawyers, the CJI said it reminds us that the "similarity of our attire is a symbol of the common existence which we share". It was for the members of the Bar to make the legal profession broad-based and inclusive, Chief Justice Chandrachud said while highlighting the need to encourage young lawyers.

"And remember, ultimately, it is if you support the institution of justice, which is to ensure that you support the independence of your own judiciary, that the judiciary can truly be able to discharge its duties," he said.

"If you are not giving to the judiciary its own sense of due, how will you expect them to discharge their own obligations towards society. Because your judges come from you and they return to you. They are not distinct from you," he said.

He said members of the Bar are also here for the betterment of the profession, to serve the cause of justice and to ensure that the other side of the profession, the judges, who are duty bound to act in aid of justice, continue to do so.

"You have to not merely protect your judges, but you have to hold them to account as well," he said.

Sharing a story, Chief Justice Chandrachud said sometime back, one of his colleagues had an attack of dengue and there was a need for blood transfusion.

"But we drew on the credit of the blood which was given by our employees during the last blood donation camp…my colleague came back to normalcy very quickly by the blood transfusion," he said, adding this was again a reminder that all of us are bound together in this cycle of existence.

"None of us in that sense is different from the other. None of us stands alone," Chief Justice Chandrachud said.

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Mehul Choksi To Not Object Petition Seeking Release Of Properties: Court

A special court in Mumbai on Wednesday rejected absconding diamond merchant Mehul Choksi's application seeking to intervene in an application filed by the ICICI Bank for the release of certain mortgaged properties worth Rs 636 crore.

Mehul Choksi, an accused in the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, is currently living in Antigua in Barbados.

The ICICI Bank has sought release of certain properties mortgaged with it.

His intervention application took objection to the release of his flats in south Mumbai and a bungalow in Alibaug, attached by the Enforcement Directorate during its probe, in the bank's favour.

But special judge for the Prevention of Money Laundering Act cases SM Menjoge said the bank had not sought these properties. The properties which the ICICI Bank was seeking were not owned by Choksi personally but by different companies, hence, he had no right to intervene, the court said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate are investigating diamond businessman Nirav Modi, his uncle Choksi and others in the PNB scam. Nirav Modi, Choksi and the companies owned by them borrowed more than Rs 13,000 crore from PNB through fraudulent Letters of Undertaking and Letters of Credit between 2011 and 2017 in connivance with some bank officials, the central agencies have alleged.

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Gujarat High Court Dismisses Petition Seeking Ban On Loudspeakers At Mosques

The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday dismissed a public interest Litigation seeking a ban on the use of loudspeakers for 'azaan' or the Islamic call to prayer at mosques, terming the plea as "wholly misconceived." A division bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Aniruddha P Mayee also asked, during the hearing, if it was the petitioner's case that the noise of bells and gongs during 'aarti' at a temple is not heard outside.

The petition, filed by Bajrang Dal leader Shaktisinh Zala, claimed that "noise pollution" caused by 'azaan' when played through loudspeakers affects people's, especially children's health and causes inconvenience otherwise. However, the High Court noted that the claims in the petition had no scientific foundation.

Azaan is conducted for a maximum of ten minutes at a time at different hours of the day, the court pointed out. "We fail to understand how the human voice making azan through loudspeaker in the morning could achieve the decibel (level) to the extent of creating noise pollution, causing health hazards for the public at large," it further said.

"We are not entertaining this kind of PIL. It is a faith and practice going for years, and it is for 5-10 minutes. In your temple, the morning aarti with drums and music also starts early at 3 am. So it does not cause any kind of noise to anyone? Can you say the noise of ghanta (bell) and ghadiyal (gong) remains in temple premises only, does not percolate outside the temple?" the court asked the petitioner's lawyer.

There is a scientific method for measuring noise pollution, but the petition does not provide any data to show that a ten-minute 'azaan' causes noise pollution, the court noted. 

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Zoo Keeper Dies After Being Attacked By Black Bear At Vizag Zoo

A 23-year-old animal keeper was mauled to death by a Himalayan black bear in the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (Vizag Zoo) on Monday.

B Nagesh Babu was attacked by Jihwan, the bear, estimated to be around 15 years old, an official said.

"Nagesh had left all the doors open in the animal night house and gone inside to clean, following which the animal came into the night house and attacked the keeper," said Vizag Zoo curator Nandani Salaria in a release.

According to the Zoo, Mr Babu was found lying in an unconscious state with serious injuries on his head, left arm, and chest by the animal night house.

Following the attack, the zoo officials managed to lure the beast back into its enclosure using honey.

The Forest Department declared a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to Babu's family. 

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Karnataka BJP Chief, My Son Will Tour State Like Brothers: H D Kumaraswamy

The BJP in Karnataka with its new ally Janata Dal (Secular) on Sunday resolved to win all the 28 seats in the state in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, which is about six months away.

In a further display of bonhomie, the BJP state president B Y Vijayendra on Sunday called on former chief minister and JD(S) second-in-command H D Kumaraswamy at his Bidadi farm in Ramanagara and held talks.

Later, the two leaders told reporters after the meeting that they discussed various issues including the Lok Sabha elections, the alliance between the two parties and the current political development in the state.

"In the interests of the country, we have discussed that Narendra Modi should be the Prime Minister for the next term as well. Seat sharing will be discussed at the High Command level. Our alliance will win 28 out of 28 seats in the state," Mr Kumaraswamy said.

Recalling the coalition government of the BJP and the JD(S) in 2006, the JD(S) state chief said he and former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa had done excellent work together. It is the wish of the people of the state that it should be repeated, he added.

"Vijayendra, Nikhil Kumaraswamy, me along with all the leaders of both the parties will work hard to bring back the good days of 2006-07," said the former Chief Minister.

Both Mr Vijayendra and Nikhil Kumaraswamy will tour the state like brothers, the JD(S) leader said, adding that both the parties will strive together and highlight the mistakes of the ruling party with documentary evidence.

Speaking on the occasion, Vijayendra said there will not be a single Congress member from Karnataka in the Lok Sabha as the coalition will win all the 28 seats.

"We discussed teaching a lesson to the corrupt Congress government," Mr Vijayendra said.

He also said the seniors will discuss seat-sharing in Delhi.

Mr Vijayendra, who is a Shikaripur MLA and Yediyurappa's son, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president J P Nadda and Kumarswamy have already discussed in Delhi.

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MP पीसीएस 2023 के लिए फिर से खुली अप्लीकेशन विंडो, जानें कौन कर सकता है आवेदन

MPPSC Exam: मध्य प्रदेश लोक सेवा आयोग ने पीसीएस 2023 की अप्लीकेशन विंडो फिर से ओपन कर दी है. आयोग ने अप्लीकेशन विंडो मध्य प्रदेश हाईकोर्ट के इंदौर बेंच के आदेश पर ओपन किया है.

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"Companies Waiting": What S Somnath Said About Retired ISRO Scientists

ISRO Chairman S Somanath on Saturday emphasised the necessity of deregulating unnecessary controls in the space sector to foster improved growth.

He also attributed India's significant progress in the space industry to the opening up of the sector.

Speaking to media here during the celebration of 60 years since India's first sounded rocket launch, Somanath highlighted that the involvement of the private sector in space science development has led to remarkable expansion in India's satellite-building capabilities.

"Earlier, it was only ISRO for the development and production of satellites, launch vehicles, and related technologies. ISRO has only 17,000 people and a budget of Rs 13,000 crore. It remained so for all these years," S Somanath said.

He said that India now has more than 130 startups in the space sector, with some companies boasting a workforce of 400 to 500 employees and a turnover ranging from Rs 500 to 1000 crores.

"Some of them are paying better salaries than ISRO, and the scientists retired from ISRO are in great demand. In fact, these companies are waiting for people who are retiring from ISRO," Mr Somanath said.

The ISRO chief further said that India has the potential to become an excellent hub for satellite manufacturing and could significantly expand its presence in the business.

"Technology development and progress in space science are all fine, but business is important. It has to bring money," he noted.

Currently, there are five Indian companies with the capability to manufacture satellites, and three of them have successfully manufactured and launched their satellites from foreign countries, he pointed out.

"We don't want them to launch their satellites from outside, and we want them to use our facilities. We want them to build satellites here; they can bring in the technologies from wherever they want, but build them here and launch them from here." He clarified that the expansion of the private sector in space science does not imply a reduction in ISRO's role.

"ISRO will continue to do what it does at present. We are now talking about sending men into space. ISRO will continue to strategise and grow. This is not scaling down, but scaling up," Mr Somanath said.

He said that the GSLV rocket has undergone regular upgrades, demonstrating its capability to carry a higher payload than its original design specifications.

"GSLV was designed to carry 4 tonnes of payload, but we have already successfully launched a 7.5-tonne payload. Its cryogenic stage is also being upgraded. In the semi-cryogenic stage, the new SE 120 is being developed," Mr Somanath said.

He mentioned that the PSLV, which initially had a payload capacity of 850 kg, now boasts a payload capacity of two tonnes.

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Army Dog Domino, His Handler Awarded For Finding Terrorists In Encounter

Indian Army dog Domino and his handler Lance Naik Lucky Kumar were awarded the Northern Army Commendation Card for tracking down a Pakistani terrorist in the recent Rajouri encounter.

They were awarded on the spot by Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi where Domino sniffed the blood trail of the terrorists to find their hideouts. This helped the security forces locate and neutralize the threat.

The Northern Army Commendation Card is an award given to Indian Army personnel for gallantry, distinguished service, or devotion to duty.

Domino helped the troops reach the hideout of terrorists by sniffing his blood trail in the Kalakote area after he had been injured in a gunfight, Indian Army officials said.

Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi on Friday visited the Kalakote area in Rajouri to revise the operational situation after the encounter in which two Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists including its top commander were eliminated and five Indian Army personnel died in their line of duties.

The Lieutenant General was briefed on the operation, said the Army officials.

Five soldiers, including two Army Captains, lost their lives in the firefight carried over from Wednesday.

The encounter broke out between terrorists and a joint team of the Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police in the Bajimaal area of Dharamsala.

The top LeT commander was identified as Quari. The army informed further that it recovered large quantities of 'War Like Stores' from the encounter site.

Quari was infamous for orchestrating several attacks, including the Dangri incident, where six innocent civilians lost their lives on January 23, and the Kandi attacks in Rajouri's Poonch areas.

His elimination marks a significant blow to the revival of terrorism in these districts, according to an army official.

Meanwhile, in heart-wrenching visuals from the wreath laying on Friday, army officers and soldiers were seen paying their last respects to their fallen comrades.

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Fire breaks out in Kanpur Anwarganj-Kasganj Express

Panic gripped passengers after a fire broke out in a coach of Anwarganj-Kasganj Express, officials said on Thursday.

As per officials, the incident occurred in Subhanpur village, under the limits of Bilhaur police station.

The blaze was contained hours after dousing efforts, they said.

The reason behind the fire is yet to be ascertained.

Further details are awaited.

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Delhi Temperature Drops To 9.2 Degrees, Air Quality Remains 'Very Poor'

Delhi's air quality was recorded in the "very poor" category on Thursday, while the maximum temperature settled at 26.7 degrees Celsius, normal for this time of the year.

The minimum temperature was recorded at 9.2 degrees Celsius, two notches below the season's average.

The weatherman has forecast a partially cloudy sky on Friday with shallow to moderate fog in the morning. The maximum and minimum temperatures would hover around 26 and 10 degrees Celsius respectively.

The 24-hour Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 390.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe".

Delhi has been witnessing a steep increase in AQI levels after a marginal improvement on Sunday. The city recorded an AQI of 394 on Wednesday, 365 on Tuesday, 348 at 4 pm on Monday and 301 on Sunday.

The increase in AQI levels comes after the Centre on Saturday removed stringent curbs, including a ban on construction work related to linear projects and the entry of polluting trucks in Delhi, following a drop in pollution levels due to a favourable wind speed and direction.

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High Court Annuls Marriage Of Man Who Was Kidnapped, Forced At Gunpoint

The Patna High Court has annulled the marriage of an Indian Army personnel who was kidnapped and made to enter into wedlock with a woman, at gunpoint, 10 years ago in Bihar.

A division bench comprising Justices P B Bajanthri and Arun Kumar Jha passed the order earlier this month when it also set aside a three-year-old judgement of the family court at Lakhisarai which had refused to pass a decree in favour of the petitioner.

The petitioner Ravi Kant, a native of Nawada district, was abducted by the bride's family on June 30, 2013, when he was in Lakhisarai to offer prayers at a temple.

The incident was an example of 'pakadua biyah', a social evil that has plagued Bihar for years and has been the theme of some movies.

Family members of girls of marriageable age have been taking recourse to the disingenuous method in a bid to avoid paying hefty dowry.

The petitioner fled the bride's house without consummating the marriage, went to Jammu and Kashmir to resume duty and upon return on leave, moved the family court seeking annulment of the marriage.

His petition was dismissed by the family court on January 27, 2020 following which he filed an appeal before the high court.

The high court set aside the impugned order observing that the family court took a "flawed" view that the petitioner's case became "disbelievable" since he did not "immediately" file the suit for annulment of marriage.

"The petitioner has explained the situation and there is no undue delay," said the court.

The court also cited a Supreme Court judgement to stress that as per Hindu traditions, no wedding could be valid unless 'saptapadi' (seven circumambulations of the consecrated fire) was performed.

"The learned family court's finding that not performing the ritual of 'saptapadi' does not mean that marriage has not been performed, is devoid of any merit," ruled the high court.

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In India's 'Amritkaal', Country Has Come Out Of Mentality Of Slavery: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said for the first time in the 'Amritkaal' of India's independence, the country has come out of the mentality of slavery and is moving ahead with the feeling of pride for its heritage.

He was addressing the 'Mirabai Janmotsav', organised here to celebrate the 525th birth anniversary of the poet and Lord Krishna devotee.

"Today for the first time in the 'Amritkaal' of India's independence, the country has come out of the mentality of slavery, PM Modi said.

"We have taken the pledge of 'Panch Pran' from the Red Fort. We are moving ahead with the feeling of pride for our heritage," he said.

Mentioning Mirabai, he said, "Our country has always been the one that worships women power".

PM Modi also released a commemorative stamp and coin in the honour of Mirabai and attend a cultural programme, in which Hema Malini performed. Before attending the event, the prime minister paid obeisance at the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple in Mathura.

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"Congress Took Revenge...": PM Modi's Open Letter To People Of Rajasthan

Ahead of the Assembly polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday wrote an open letter to the people of Rajasthan, promising to take the state to newer heights and accusing the Congress government of causing unimaginable damage to the state's reputation.

"It seems as if the Congress has taken revenge for some old enmity with Rajasthan in these five years," he said and claimed the people of the state are embarrassed by the Ashok Gehlot government.

Attacking the Congress government over a range of issues, including crime against women and corruption, PM Modi alleged the ruling party has made Rajasthan the number one state in crimes.

Because of its appeasement policy, the Congress government has avoided taking action against criminals and gave a free hand to anti-social elements in Rajasthan, the Prime Minister claimed.

"Today, the situation is such that even following one's faith has become difficult in Rajasthan."

"Rajasthan is the land of those who sacrificed their lives for the respect of women power. But the last five years became the most unsafe years for women power in Rajasthan. Therefore, today the women of Rajasthan have resolved to uproot this Congress government,” PM Modi said.

He claimed that the BJP on the other hand has always thought about the development and prosperity of the state. After the BJP forms government in Rajasthan, water resources will be the government's top priority, PM Modi said.

"Our vision is the path of effort, prestige and progress. The coming BJP government in Rajasthan will work as a double-engine government. For this double engine government, fast development, respect for the poor and a policy of zero tolerance towards corruption will be the basic mantras of good governance," PM Modi added.

Polling for the 200-member Rajasthan Assembly will be held on November 25 and votes will be counted on December 3.

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