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Tue, 24 December 2024
Indian consulate in Afghanistan attacked, staffer hurt
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23:56 Delhi polls: Cong releases 2nd list, Farhad Suri to take on Manish Sisodia
The Congress Tuesday released its second list of 26 candidates for the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls, fielding Farhad Suri against AAP's Manish Sisodia from Jangpura while also giving tickets ex-AAP MLAs Asim Khan and Devender Sehrawat.
With this list, the Congress has declared a total of 47 candidates for the elections for the 70-member Delhi assembly.
While Khan has been fielded from Matia Mahal, Shrawat has been given a ticket from Bijwasan. Both the former AAP MLAs joined the Congress on Monday.
Suri will take on AAP's Sisodia from Jangpura.
The Congress also fielded Satish Luthra from Shakur Basti, Rajesh Lilothia from Seemapuri (SC), Haji Mohammad Ishraq Khan from Babarpur, Rajesh Chauhan from Deoli (SC), Pradeep Kumar Upmanyu from Delhi Cantt and Sumit Sharma from Laxmi Nagar.
The party had released its first list of 21 candidates earlier this month, fielding ex-MP Sandeep Dikshit from New Delhi, setting up a contest between him and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal.
The Congress also fielded its Delhi chief Devender Yadav from Badli, ex-Delhi minister Haroon Yusuf from Ballimaran, ex-Delhi Congress chief Chaudhary Anil Kumar from Patparganj, national spokesperson Ragini Nayak from Wazirpur and Adarsh Shastri from Dwarka. -- PTI
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23:52 Indian consulate in Afghanistan attacked, staffer hurt
An Afghan national working at the Indian consulate in Jalalabad sustained injuries on Tuesday when unidentified persons opened fire at his vehicle, people familiar with the matter said.
India had closed operations at the consulate around three-and-a-half years back but a number of local staffers were working at the mission.
"An incident took place today involving a local Afghan staff of the Indian Consulate in Jalababad, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan," one of the people cited above said.
"The local staff of the consulate sustained minor injuries in the incident. India had closed its Consulate in Jalalabad way back in 2020 itself," the person said.
The people said New Delhi is in touch with the Afghan authorities on the incident. -- PTI
23:47 Punjab police arrests 'serial killer' who murdered 11 men in 18 months
The police in Punjab's Rupnagar have arrested a man for allegedly killing 11 persons in the past 18 months, officials said on Tuesday.
The accused, identified as Ram Saroop alias Sodhi of village Chaura in Hoshiarpur district, was arrested on Monday in another case and during interrogation it came to light that he was a "serial killer", they said.
The police said his victims were men whom he used to offer lift in his car, and then rob them and kill them if they resisted.
Senior superintendent of police, Rupnagar, Gulneet Singh Khurana said that instructions were issued to police officers to solve the cases of heinous crimes in the district.
Khurana said a police team was formed to nab culprits involved in murder cases. Referring to a murder case in Kiratpur Sahib, he divulged that a man aged about 37 years, who used to serve tea and water at Toll Plaza Modra, was murdered on August 18.
The investigations in this case led to the arrest of Ram Saroop and later his involvement in other cases got revealed during interrogation, the police said. -- PTI
Allu Arjun arrives at Sandhya theatre in Hyderabad December 4, 2024/ANI on X
23:08 Condition of boy injured in 'Pushpa-2' theatre stampede improving: Father
The condition of the eight-year-old boy, who was injured in the stampede during the screening of Pushpa-2 in Hyderabad on December 4, is improving, his father said on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters at the hospital, Bhaskar said the child was taken off oxygen and ventilator support two days ago.
Quoting doctors, he said the boy's recovery will take time.
The hospital said Sritej continues to maintain stable vital parameters on his own without any oxygen or ventilatory support.
"His sensorium is similar with spontaneous eye opening and spontaneous limb movements but there is still no meaningful eye contact or recognition of family members," it said in a health update.
The boy is waking on verbal stimulus but not following any oral commands.
He is tolerating feeds via nasogastric tube well and is afbrile since last three days, the hospital said.
Bhaskar also said he has received DD for Rs 10 lakhs from Pushpa star Allu Arjun and also separate help from the Pushpa film production house and state cinematography minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy.
Asked why he expressed readiness to withdraw his complaint, he said he got support from Allu Arjun's staff from Day Two and that there was no pressure on him. -- PTI
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23:01 Telangana may lift 2-child policy for rural polls
The Telangana government is likely to decide on a proposal to lift the restriction barring individuals with more than two children from contesting rural local body polls, after deciding on quotas for the elections.
Ruling Congress sources on Tuesday said the issue will likely be addressed after the caste census is completed and a decision on reservations for rural local body polls is made.
The Telangana government's comprehensive socio-economic, employment, political, and caste survey, an election promise by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, began on November 6 and is now in its final stages.
Earlier, Congress sources had indicated that the government may revert to the previous policy, which was changed in the 1990s by the government of undivided Andhra Pradesh.
The two-child norm was already repealed for urban local bodies in Telangana.
Recently, the Andhra Pradesh assembly passed a bill allowing people with more than two children to contest urban local body elections, reversing the previous rule.
Leaders from various political parties have expressed concerns that southern states could lose Lok Sabha seats in the upcoming delimitation exercise. -- PTI
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22:34 Officials examine Banke Bihari temple in Sambhal
Acting on a representation regarding the Banke Bihari temple in Sambhal, the district administration on Tuesday reached the spot to determine the age of the structure and to investigate facts related to symbols of deities found on the walls.
Earlier, the Shri Kartik Mahadev temple (Bhasma Shankar temple) was reopened on December 13 after the authorities said they stumbled upon the covered structure during an anti-encroachment drive.
The temple housed an idol of Lord Hanuman and a Shivling.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Chandausi tehsildar Dhirendra Singh said on Tehsil Diwas (December 21), a complaint was submitted to the district magistrate regarding the Banke Bihari temple, which is in ruins.
Singh said symbols related to Lord Shiva were found in the temple.
Besides, idols of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita are carved on the walls, he said.
The tehsildar said the age of the temple will be determined and the circumstances under which it got ruined will also be examined.
Singh said the Banke Bihari temple is spread across 1.137 hectares.
If encroachment is found, it will also be removed immediately, he added.
Local resident Kaushal Kishore, who had complained to the district magistrate Rajendra Pensia, said he had brought to the notice of the official about the existence of an old temple which was lying in a state of ruin in the Chandausi area of Sambhal district. -- PTI
Former Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla (right)/File image
22:16 Union ex-home secy Ajay Bhalla new Manipur Guv
Former Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla has been appointed the governor of strife-torn Manipur, ex-Army chief Vijay Kumar Singh is the new Mizoram governor while Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has been shifted to Bihar as part of gubernatorial appointments effected by President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday.
Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has been named the governor of Kerala in place of Khan, according to the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Arif Mohammed Khan has been appointed as Bihar Governor, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a statement.
President Murmu has accepted the resignation of Odisha Governor Raghubar Das, it said.
Mizoram Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati has been appointed as the new Odisha Governor in place of Das, the statement said. -- PTI
22:12 Two arrested for vandalising Ambedkar statue in Ahmedabad
The Ahmedabad Crime Branch on Tuesday arrested two persons for allegedly vandalising a statue of Dr B R Ambedkar in Khokhra locality of the city.
Members of the Dalit community had staged protests after the incident came to light on Monday morning.
Protesters forced shops in the area to down the shutters on Tuesday.
The crime branch zeroed in on Mehul Thakor and Bholo Thakor, two of the five suspects, after scanning footage of around 500 CCTV cameras and using inputs from its informants, said an official.
Thakor, a history-sheeter with a case under Prohibition Act registered against him in 2020, confessed to vandalising the statue, said joint commissioner of police Sharad Singhal.
Three other suspects are absconding, he added. Thakor and Dalit communities live next to each other in the locality which has a history of clashes, the official said.
Jayesh Thakor, wanted in the present case, was booked for rioting in 2018 following a clash between the two communities, he said. -- PTI
21:51 Hotelier duped of Rs 4.87 cr in name of high returns on investment
A Mumbai-based hotelier was allegedly cheated of Rs 4.87 crore by a businessman and his son under the pretext of offering high returns on his investment in textile and film industries, the police said on Tuesday.
An FIR was registered against Jugraj Shah and his son Parag Shah, residents of Chembur, and launched a search to trace them.
The hotelier was acquainted with the father-son duo, who introduced themselves as textile traders with a manufacturing unit, two years ago, a police official said quoting the FIR.
They lured the hotelier with the promise of hefty returns following which he invested Rs 4.87 crore in their firm over the past two years.
The accused duo allegedly promised the hotelier to utilise his investment in the textile sector and film industry, the police said.
When the hotelier failed to receive returns on his investment, he approached the police and lodged a complaint. -- PTI
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21:25 Tigress at Mangaluru Zoo gives birth to two cubs
A 14-year-old tigress at Pilikula Biological Park here gave birth to two cubs recently, officials said on Tuesday.
Both the mother and the cubs are reported to be in good health, they added.
Rani gave birth to five healthy cubs in 2016 and three in 2021, officials said.
Rani was brought to Pilikula Biological Park under an animal exchange programme from Bannerghatta Biological Park, in exchange for a male tiger from Pilikula, according to officials.
With the birth of the new cubs, the tiger population at Pilikula Zoo has risen to 10, including four males and four females.
The gender of the newly born cubs will be determined after two months, according to Pilikula Biological Park director H Jayaprakash Bhandari. -- PTI
21:11 Stray dog attack claims life of elderly woman in Kerala's Alappuzha
An elderly woman died after being attacked by a stray dog in Kerala's coastal district of Alappuzha on Tuesday, the police said in Alappuzha.
The incident occurred earlier in the day at a village under Arattupuzha police station limits, they said.
The stray dog is said to have bitten her on the face and other parts of her body, resulting in fatal injuries, they added. -- PTI
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21:01 Over 60 NCC cadets hospitalised after food poisoning at Kerala camp
As many as 60 NCC cadets were hospitalised following a suspected case of food poisoning at a camp held at a college in Kerala, creating an anxious situation, officials said.
The incident was reported on Monday during the 10-day Combined Annual Training Camp organised by the 21 Kerala Battalion NCC at a college in Thrikkakara, starting December 21.
The students who complained of food poisoning were taken to various hospitals and were discharged by Monday night, according to officials.
The NCC has ordered a departmental-level inquiry into the incident, an official statement said.
"In response to the physical discomfort experienced by cadets at the NCC camp organised at the Thrikakkara KMM College, an urgent inquiry has been ordered. The inquiry will be conducted by a committee led by Brigadier Suresh G, the NCC Group Commander of Kollam," the statement read.
The officiating additional director general of NCC has directed the Brigadier Suresh-led panel to submit its report, it added.
The participants of the camp included students from schools and colleges under the 21 Kerala Battalion NCC, Ernakulam.
Officials said the students first complained of discomfort around 7 pm after having dinner, with the number initially rising to 40 and later reaching 60.
An NCC statement noted that two girl cadets initially reported physical discomfort, followed by 13 more cadets. -- PTI
A view of the Sacred Heart Cathedral Church on the eve of Christmas in New Delhi/ANI on X
20:35 Police to man Delhi churches on Christmas
The Delhi traffic police on Tuesday said it has made "adequate" arrangements to deal with the unruly elements during the Christmas celebrations in the national capital.
An officer said deployments have been made near churches, malls, and markets.
"Apart from this, a drive against drunken driving will be carried out till New Year," the officer said.
Another officer said, "We saw less number of people thronging to the Sacred Heart Cathedral near the Gol Dak Khana last year. However, we have deployed sufficient personnel in the area. They will keep clear the traffic for a smooth movement in the area."
Churches in the city expecting a heavy congregation of devotees include the Sacred Heart Cathedral, St Thomas church (Mandir Marg), St Martin's church (Delhi Cantonment), St Thomas church (R K Puram), and St Mary's Knanaya church (Vasant Kunj), police said.
They said traffic will be diverted on stretches according to the need.
A large number of people are expected to assemble at Select City Mall, Saket, where traffic will be restricted on certain roads, a police advisory said. Traffic diversion will begin at 2 pm Wednesday. -- PTI
20:11 Rupee falls 9 paise to close at fresh record low of 85.20 against US dollar
The rupee extended the slide for the second straight session and depreciated 9 paise to settle at a fresh all-time low of 85.20 (provisional) against the US dollar on Tuesday, dragged by a strong greenback against major crosses overseas and subdued domestic equities.
According to analysts, increased demand of dollar due to month-end payment obligation and the fear of an aggressive import tariff by the Donald Trump administration in the US strengthened the greenback.
Besides, surging crude oil prices pushed the rupee down further, they added.
At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 85.10 and touched the lowest ever level of 85.21 against the greenback during intra-day.
The unit finally ended the session at a fresh all-time low of 85.20 (provisional) against the dollar, registering a loss of 9 paise from its previous close.
On Monday, the rupee settled 7 paise lower at 85.11 against the US dollar. -- PTI
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19:51 5 soldiers killed in accident in Poonch
Five soldiers lost their lives after an Army vehicle met with an accident in the Poonch sector, said White Knight Corps.
Rescue operations are ongoing, and the injured personnel are receiving medical care, said White Knight Corps.
The accident took place when the vehicle carrying them skidded off the road and rolled down into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Tuesday evening, sources said.
The accident occurred in the Gharoa area when an Army vehicle was on its way to Banoi in the district, they said.
The vehicle plunged into a deep gorge, approximately 300-350 feet deep, they added.
The Army and police teams rushed to the spot for rescue operation, sources said. -- AGENCIES
19:40 After Q2 slowdown, economy on recovery path: RBI
The Indian economy is recovering from the slowdown in momentum witnessed in the September quarter, driven by strong festival activity and a sustained upswing in rural demand, according to a Reserve Bank of India bulletin released on Tuesday.
An article on the 'State of the Economy' in the December Bulletin noted that the global economy continues to exhibit resilience with steady growth and moderating inflation.
"High frequency indicators for the third quarter of 2024-25 indicate that the Indian economy is recovering from the slowdown in momentum witnessed in Q2, driven by strong festival activity and a sustained upswing in rural demand," it said.
The prospects for agriculture and hence rural consumption are looking up with brisk expansion of rabi sowing, said the article authored by a team led by RBI deputy Governor Michael Debabrata Patra.
India's GDP growth slowed to a seven-quarter low of 5.4 percent during the July-September period of the current fiscal year.
The RBI said the views expressed in the bulletin are of the authors and do not represent the views of the central bank. -- PTI
19:16 7 more arrested in Sambhal violence case
Seven men were arrested on Tuesday in connection with the November 24 Sambhal violence that left four people dead, police said.
So far 47 people have been arrested in the case and 91 people identified, additional superintendent of police Shrish Chandra told reporters in Sambhal.
Those arrested on Tuesday were identified as Shoaib, Sujauddin, Rahat, Mohd Azam, Azharuddin, Javed and Mustafa, police said.
Teams have been set up to arrest other accused involved in the incident.
According to the police, 11 FIRs have been registered in connection with the violence.
Sambhal remained tense since November 19, when the local Shahi Jama Masjid underwent a survey following a court order on a petition claiming that there was a Harihar temple earlier.
Violence broke out on November 24 when the mosque was being surveyed again. -- PTI
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19:09 Snake in Mumbai courtroom disrupts proceedings
A snake was found on a heap of files in a courtroom in Mumbai on Tuesday, disrupting the proceedings for about an hour.
It was business as usual in room number 27 of the magistrate court in Mulund till noon when a policeman spotted a 2-foot-long snake while going through files.
A lawyer present in the courtroom said the incident caused panic among persons present in the courtroom, forcing the judge to temporarily stop the proceedings.
Snake-catchers were called and they diligently rummaged through the courtroom packed with loads of old files and cavity-ridden walls and floor.
But the snake was not found, the lawyer said, adding that it might have slithered into one of the holes in the room.
The court proceedings resumed after an hour. Interestingly, the spotting of snakes in this courtroom, surrounded by vegetation, was not an isolated incident.
A day earlier a snake was spotted on a window of the courtroom. Another snake was spotted in the judge's chamber two months ago, said the lawyer, Biswaroop Dubey. -- PTI
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18:59 American Airlines grounds all US flights due to glitch
American Airlines grounded all its flights in the US due to an unspecified technical issue, according to the company and a regulatory notice, disrupting the travel plans of thousands of passengers set to fly out for Christmas Eve, said an ANI report quoting Reuters.
More details soon. -- ANI
18:40 DGCA fines Akasa Air Rs 10L over compensation delay
Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation slapped a Rs 10 lakh penalty on Akasa Air for failing to provide compensation on time to some passengers who were denied boarding at the Bangalore airport in September, according to a source.
In recent months, the more than two-and-a-half-year-old airline has come under the scanner of the regulator for certain alleged violations.
Earlier this month, some pilots had also flagged concerns about training at the carrier, which has termed the allegations as baseless.
The latest action by the DGCA pertains to the denial of boarding of seven passengers who had booked a flight from Bangalore to Pune on September 6.
The aircraft, which was to operate the flight, was grounded on account of foreign object damage and the replacement aircraft had nine non-operational seats as a result of which seven passengers were denied boarded, the source said on Tuesday.
Later, the passengers were moved to an Indigo flight with a scheduled departure time of 2240 hours which was more than one hour of the scheduled departure time of the actual Akasa flight.
The source said that no compensation was paid to the passengers which was non-compliance with DGCA norms.
In an order dated December 23, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said Akasa Air initiated the process of providing compensation to the passengers concerned only after the regulator issued a show cause notice, as per the source.
The watchdog had given a Deficiency Reporting Form to Akasa Air and the airline was asked to submit its response, including the root cause for the deficiency and the corrective action taken. -- PTI
J-K MP Rashid Engineer/File image
18:17 Court refuses to pass order on J-K MP Rashid Engineer's regular bail plea
A Delhi court on Tuesday refused to pass order on Jammu and Kashmir MP Rashid Engineer's regular bail application in a terror funding case.
Additional sessions judge Chander Jit Singh dismissed an application filed by the accused seeking to pronounce order on the bail application.
The judge said at the present stage he could only decide the miscellaneous application and not the regular bail plea. -- PTI
18:07 Ten Bangladeshi nationals held in Navi Mumbai for illegal stay
The Navi Mumbai police arrested ten Bangladeshi nationals, including eight women and two men, for staying in India illegally without documents, an official said on Tuesday.
The action followed the raids conducted by the crime branch's anti-human trafficking unit over the weekend in Vashi and Kharghar areas.
Preliminary investigation suggested that Bangladeshi men typically work as labourers while women work as domestic helps.
An official said the arrested Bangladeshi men and women have been residing in India illegally since 2023.
They failed to produce any proof of Indian citizenship or travel documents.
"Some of them have been residing in India illegally for years," the official added.
A case has been registered at Kharghar police station under relevant sections of the Passport Act and the Foreigners Act. -- PTI
West Bengal ex-education minister Partha Chatterjee/File image
17:51 Job scam: No HC bail for Bengal ex-minister Partha
The Calcutta high court on Tuesday rejected the bail petition of former West Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee and four other ex-public servants in a Central Bureau of Investigation case over an alleged school jobs recruitment scam.
Besides Chatterjee, Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty also rejected the bail prayer of former West Bengal School Service Commission chairman Subires Bhattacharya, former state secondary education board president Kalyanmoy Ganguly, former chairman of SSC's advisory committee S P Saha, and former SSC secretary Ashok Saha.
Earlier, a division bench comprising justices Arijit Banerjee and Apurba Sinha Ray differed in their separate judgments on the bail prayer of the five accused.
While Justice Banerjee allowed the bail application of all the accused, Justice Sinha Ray rejected it.
The matter was thereafter assigned to the single bench of Justice Chakraborty by the HC chief justice for adjudication.
Justice Chakraborty, in his judgment, expressed agreement with Justice Sinha Ray's order, rejecting the bail application of all five accused.
He emphasised that the allegations against the petitioners are serious, noting that if proven, the offences could damage the credibility of the state's education system. -- PTI
17:34 BSE Sensex top losers today
Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty ended on a flat note in a volatile trade on Tuesday, as investors preferred to stay on the sidelines awaiting further triggers amid persistent foreign fund outflows.
After gyrating between highs and lows, the 30-share index declined 67.30 points or 0.09 percent to settle at 78,472.87.
During the day, it dropped 142.38 points or 0.18 percent to 78,397.79.
The NSE Nifty dipped 25.80 points or 0.11 percent to 23,727.65.
From the 30 blue-chip stocks, Power Grid, State Bank of India, Titan, Tata Steel, IndusInd Bank, UltraTech Cement, Adani Ports and Infosys were among the laggards.
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17:24 Saurashtra Express derails near Surat, no one injured
The Dadar-Porbandar Saurashtra Express derailed on Tuesday afternoon at Kim station, 27 km from Surat in Gujarat, said an official.
Four wheels of the non-passenger coach next to the engine derailed at 3.32 pm as the train (number 19015) was leaving the station on its way to Porbandar, said Western Railway chief PRO Vineet Abhishek.
"There was no injury or harm caused to any passenger or railway staff," he said.
Train traffic on the route was not affected as an extra loop line was available, the PRO added. -- PTI
Spiritual content creator Abhinav Arora/ANI Photo
17:10 I cannot go to school because of trolling: Spiritual content creator Abhinav
Abhinav Arora, a 10-year-old spiritual content creator said that currently he is unable to attend school because of the trolls and cyber bullying.
In an interview with ANI, he opened up about his schooling and education. Arora, who claims to have embarked on his spiritual journey at the age of three, stated that both schooling and spiritual education are necessary.
"I go to school. I believe both school and spiritual education is necessary. I am in class 5. Currently, I am not going to school due to trolling. Yes, I went to give exams, but because of the trollers, I cannot go to school," Abhinav said.
When asked about his popularity and followers, Abhinav said that people who follow him are not his followers, rather they are followers of Lord Krishna.
He said, "The person who follows me, who takes selfies with me, are not my followers, rather they are Thakur Ji's (Lord Krishna) followers. They are fans of Kanha ji and whatever love I receive I dedicate it to him."
His father, Tarun Raj Arora emphasised that Abhinav is a bright student and wants to go to 'Gurukul' but currently, is unable to take his physical classes at school due to "controversies, adding that he is taking his spiritual education at home.
"He goes to school, but, currently, due to controversies, he is taking spiritual education at home. He is a bright student. he believes that both school and spiritual education is necessary, although he wants to go to 'Gurukul'," Tarun Arora said. -- ANI
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16:46 Two hurt in stone-pelting during clash between groups in Bhopal
At least two persons were injured in a clash between groups over a dispute in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal on Tuesday, the police said.
The incident occurred in Jahangirabad locality of the city.
It was a fallout of the fracas that took place on Sunday between the two groups, they said.
Additional commissioner of police Awadhesh Kumar Goswami said, "There was a fight between two groups on Sunday. The group, which was more aggressive, comprised five members. Three of them were arrested soon later, while two others could not be."
"On Tuesday, a clash broke out again over the presence of a person who was not arrested in the Sunday case. Persons who were victims in the Sunday fracas hurled stones," he said.
Since a large number of police personnel were deployed here for a Congress rally, they rushed to the spot and the situation was brought under control, Goswami said, adding that the miscreants were chased away.
On the basis of CCTV footage, the stone-pelters will be identified and action will be taken against them, he said.
The police have registered a case against five persons in connection with the Sunday fracas.
While three of them were arrested earlier, two others were caught on Tuesday, he said.
Two persons have undergone a medical check-up and sustained minor injuries (in the stone-pelting incident), he said. -- PTI
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16:31 Delhi police arrest 5 Bangladeshi nationals, crack down on illegal immigration
The Delhi police arrested 11 persons, including five Bangladeshi nationals, in connection with an illegal immigration racket, making counterfeit Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, and other forged documents via a fake website.
According to the police, one of the accused facilitated Bangladeshi nationals by producing counterfeit Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, and other forged documents via a fake website for which he used to charge Rs 15,000.
"4 suspects wanted in a murder case were arrested. During questioning, they revealed that they had come from Bangladesh. They entered India with fake documents. Here, in Delhi, they contacted a person named Sahil from a computer centre who made fake birth certificates for them. Delhi police--South have arrested 5 Bangladeshis and 6 other people," DCP South Ankit Chauhan stated.
"These people enter India from forest areas and head to the nearest town. There they meet a person named Sento Sheikh, who gives them a fake Aadhaar card and SIM card. On arriving in Delhi, they get a fake birth certificate, and based on this they get a real Aadhar card," the DCP added.
"We have also busted a website that makes fake birth certificates. The operator of the website, Rajat Mishra and others have been arrested. 288 fake certificates were generated from this website. We have arrested a lady who got a voter card made based on a fake Aadhaar card. The illegal immigrants cross the border with the help of a contact whom we are tracking," DCP Chauhan stated. -- ANI
16:10 Shyam Benegal cremated with full state honours
Veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal, the pioneer of the parallel cinema movement in Indian cinema in the 1970s and 1980s, was cremated on Tuesday with full state honours and a three-gun salute in Mumbai.
Benegal, known for films such as Ankur, Mandi, Nishant, and Junoon, died on Monday at a hospital in Mumbai due to chronic kidney disease.
The last rites of the filmmaker, who celebrated his 90th birthday on December 14, were held around 3 pm at Dadar's Shivaji Park crematorium.
Benegal's cinema contemporaries, colleagues and younger generations of actors and artists accompanied wife Nira and daughter Pia in paying their last respects to the icon, whose movies captured the many realities of India.
Naseeruddin Shah, Rajit Kapoor, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, and Ila Arun, who starred in many of Benegal's films, were present to bid adieu to the director.
Also present were actor Ratna Pathak Shah, her son Vivaan Shah, writer-poet Gulzar, director Hansal Mehta, lyricisit-writer Javed Akhtar, actors Divya Dutta, Boman Irani, Kunal Kapoor and Anang Desai.
Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, whose Film Heritage Foundation recently restored Benegal's 1976 Manthan for a screening at the Cannes Film Festival, was also present.
Gulzar said what Benegal brought to cinema was a revolution that will never come again.
"He hasn't departed, we have departed from him and seen him off. He brought a revolution, he has gone with that revolution of change in cinema. Nobody else will be able to bring that wave, revolution once again. We will remember him for a long time and we will talk about him for a long to come," Gulzar told PTI.
Actor Shreyas Talpade, who played the lead role in Benegal's satire Welcome to Sajjanpur, said the film was one of his most memorable shooting experiences because of Benegal.
"I was a changed person after I returned from the shoot of the film. I think we will miss his talks the most. He mesmerised us whenever he used to talk. It's a huge loss," Talpade said. -- PTI
16:05 No arbitrary changes in Maha voters list: EC to Cong
Amid concerns flagged by the Congress, the Election Commission on Tuesday said there were no arbitrary additions or deletions of voters in Maharashtra where assembly polls were held recently.
In its response to the Congress, the poll authority said it would not be correct to compare 5 pm voter turnout data with final polling data.
It also explained how increase in voter turnout from 5 pm to 11.45 pm was normal, being part of the process of aggregation of voter turnout and how there can be bona fide but inconsequential differences in votes polled and votes counted.
The EC asserted that it is impossible to change actual voter turnout as statutory Form 17C giving details of voter turnout is available with authorised agents of candidates at the time of close of poll at the polling station itself.
It said rule-based process was followed with transparency in Maharashtra electoral roll preparation and there were no irregular pattern in voter deletions in the state.
It told the Congress that due process was followed, including participation of Congress representatives in preparation of electoral rolls. -- PTI
15:10 Odisha CM recalls being duped by chit fund firms
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday claimed that he was also a victim of chit fund scams and urged people to be aware of the activities of ponzi firms to save their hard-earned money.
Majhi said this while addressing a function to celebrate the State Level National Consumers Day in Bhubaneswar.
"I was also a victim of chit fund scams. Two firms had duped me in 1990 and 2002," the chief minister said, adding that he could not get back his money as the process of recovering the money was too long and too lengthy.
Describing his experience, Majhi said he was influenced by the sweet talks made by the ponzi firm agents and arranged money to deposit in certain schemes.
"However, when the maturity period came, I could not find the companies where money was deposited," he said.
The chief minister, however, said there has been a lot of change now as the Centre has formulated and strengthened regulations to stop cheating and duping of consumers. -- PTI
15:07 Money transfer under Ladki Bahin scheme resumes
The disbursement of monthly instalments to beneficiaries of the Maharashtra government's Ladki Bahin scheme resumed from Tuesday after a break due to the model code of conduct, state minister Aditi Tatkare said.
The instalments will be disbursed in phases, the women and child development minister said.
The state assembly elections were held last month, due to which the model code was in place till the completion of the poll process.
The Mukhyamanti Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, launched earlier this year to provide a monthly assistance of Rs 1,500 to eligible women, is believed to have contributed to the BJP-led Mahayuti's victory in the state assembly polls.
Talking to PTI, Tatkare said there are 2.34 crore beneficiaries under the scheme as of now.
"The direct benefit transfer (DBT) of the instalment has begun from today. Rs 1,500 will be transferred and after four days we will get to know how many beneficiaries were given the amount. The number of beneficiaries will increase as per the registration," she said.
Asked about the promise of Rs 2,100 per month under the scheme, she said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has already said the decision will be taken during the next budget.
The scrutiny of beneficiaries will be based on the complaints received, the minister added.
Tatkare, in a post on X, said the aid is to financial empower women and give stability for their families.
Not only empowerment, it is also aimed to boost their self-confidence, she said.
"We are confident that the financial help will bring positive change in their lives," the minister added. -- PTI
14:35 Cong challenges amendments to election rules in SC
The Congress on Tuesday filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court challenging the recent amendments to the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 and expressed hope that the apex court will help restore the 'fast eroding' integrity of the electoral process.
The government has tweaked an election rule to prevent public inspection of certain electronic documents such as CCTV camera and webcasting footage as well as video recordings of candidates to prevent their misuse.
All India Congress Committee general secretary Jairam Ramesh, who filed the petition, said, 'The integrity of the electoral process is fast eroding. Hopefully the Supreme Court will help restore it.'
'A writ has just been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the recent amendments to the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961,' he said in a post on X.
Ramesh said the Election Commission, a Constitutional body charged with the conduct of free and fair elections cannot be allowed to unilaterally, and without public consultation, amend such a vital law in such a brazen manner.
'This is especially true when that amendment does away with public access to essential information that makes the electoral process more transparent and accountable,' he said.
Based on the recommendation of the Election Commission of India, the Union law ministry on Friday amended Rule 93(2)(a) of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, to restrict the type of 'papers' or documents open to public inspection. -- PTI
14:31 Budaun court to decide on hearing mandir-masjid plea on Jan 18
A court will on January 18 decide whether it will hear a plea claiming the existence of Neelkanth temple at the Jama Masjid Shamsi mosque site in Budaun.
Civil judge (senior sivision) Amit Kumar posted the matter of January 18, 2025 when it will decide whether the matter would be heard or not, advocate Ved Prakash Sahu, representing the Hindu side said on December 23.
Lawyers from both sides had put forth their respective sides on December 17.
The lawyer said he court did not pass any decision and fixed January 18 as the date owing to the ensuing district bar association elections.
The dispute started in 2022 when Mukesh Patel, the then convener of Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, claimed the temple existed at the mosque site and sought permission to worship in the structure.
On December 12, the Supreme Court restrained all the courts in the country from entertaining and passing any effective interim or final orders on any lawsuits seeking reliefs including survey of religious places under the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991.
The direction of a bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan came on a batch of pleas and cross pleas relating to the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991.
The Jama Masjid Shamsi is built on an elevated area called Sotha Mohalla and is considered the highest structure in the town of Budaun.
It is also believed to be the third oldest existing and seventh largest mosque in the country with a capacity to accommodate 23,500 people. -- PTI
Ismail Haniyeh
13:26 Israel's big admission: Killed Haniyeh, will hit...
In the first acknowledgement of Israel's involvement in the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz on Monday, issued a stern warning to the Houthi rebels from Yemen of destroying their infrastructure and 'decapitating' its leaders.
Hamas leader Hanieyh's killing came hours after top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr was killed in an Israeli air attack on the southern suburbs of Lebanon's capital, Beirut, on July 31.
Yahya Sinwar replaced Haniyeh as the group's military chief. Sinwar was also killed in an Israeli military operation in southern Gaza on October 16.
In another major killing, Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah chief was also killed by Israel.
At a commemoration event for local security officers, Katz said, "We will strike [the Houthis'] strategic infrastructure and decapitate its leaders. Just as we did to Haniyeh, Sinwar, and Nasrallah, in Tehran, Gaza and Lebanon -- we will do in Hodeidah and Sanaa."
Israeli Defence Minister also admitted to overthrowing the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria.
Opposition forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launched a strong offensive from the northwestern province of Idlib in November.
They reached Damascus in the early hours of December 8 and announced the end of more than 50 years of the al-Assad family's iron-fist rule over Syria.
Katz added, "We have overthrown the Assad regime in Syria, we have dealt heavy blows to the 'axis of evil,' and we will also severely strike the Houthi terror organization in Yemen, which remains the last one standing."
Earlier in August, Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) had said that Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed by Israel using a short-range projectile with a warhead and plans to take revenge "at the appropriate time.
The statement by Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Saturday also accuses the criminal government of the United States of supporting the attack, which Iran blames on Israel.
"This terrorist attack was designed and implemented by the Zionist regime (Israel) and supported by the criminal government of America," the IRNA news agency quoted the statement as saying.
As per the statement, a rocket with a seven-kilogram warhead was used to target the residence of Haniyeh state media IRNA had reported.
It said the attack caused heavy devastation. The IRGC statement also emphasised that it would 'avenge blood of Haniyeh', adding that 'the terrorist and adventurist Zionist regime would definitely receive severe punishment and a decisive response at appropriate time and in proper place'. -- ANI
Hamas leader Hanieyh's killing came hours after top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr was killed in an Israeli air attack on the southern suburbs of Lebanon's capital, Beirut, on July 31.
Yahya Sinwar replaced Haniyeh as the group's military chief. Sinwar was also killed in an Israeli military operation in southern Gaza on October 16.
In another major killing, Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah chief was also killed by Israel.
At a commemoration event for local security officers, Katz said, "We will strike [the Houthis'] strategic infrastructure and decapitate its leaders. Just as we did to Haniyeh, Sinwar, and Nasrallah, in Tehran, Gaza and Lebanon -- we will do in Hodeidah and Sanaa."
Israeli Defence Minister also admitted to overthrowing the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria.
Opposition forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launched a strong offensive from the northwestern province of Idlib in November.
They reached Damascus in the early hours of December 8 and announced the end of more than 50 years of the al-Assad family's iron-fist rule over Syria.
Katz added, "We have overthrown the Assad regime in Syria, we have dealt heavy blows to the 'axis of evil,' and we will also severely strike the Houthi terror organization in Yemen, which remains the last one standing."
Earlier in August, Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) had said that Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed by Israel using a short-range projectile with a warhead and plans to take revenge "at the appropriate time.
The statement by Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Saturday also accuses the criminal government of the United States of supporting the attack, which Iran blames on Israel.
"This terrorist attack was designed and implemented by the Zionist regime (Israel) and supported by the criminal government of America," the IRNA news agency quoted the statement as saying.
As per the statement, a rocket with a seven-kilogram warhead was used to target the residence of Haniyeh state media IRNA had reported.
It said the attack caused heavy devastation. The IRGC statement also emphasised that it would 'avenge blood of Haniyeh', adding that 'the terrorist and adventurist Zionist regime would definitely receive severe punishment and a decisive response at appropriate time and in proper place'. -- ANI
12:38 JPC on simultaneous polls to meet on Jan 8
JUST IN: The meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on 'One Nation One Election' is to take place on January 8, 2025.
12:20 Landowners demolish 'mazaar' in Muzaffarnagar, FIR lodged
A group of landowners allegedly demolished an old 'mazaar' in Budhana town of Muzaffarnagar, promoting police to register a first information report (FIR) in the matter and launch an investigation, an official said on Tuesday.
The accused include Gulzar Uddin, a resident of Chhota Bazaar, along with his brothers Aghan and Ameer Zia, and 10 to 15 others, they said.
Budhana Circle Officer (CO) Gajendra Pal Singh told reporters, "Police have filed a case against the landowners based on a complaint, and an investigation is underway to determine the facts and take appropriate legal action."
According to the complaint filed by Budhana resident Pavnesh Kumar, a 'mazaar' (shrine) dedicated to a saint, located near the vegetable market on the Budhana-Kandhla Road, was vandalised.
The Budhana police registered the case under relevant sections of the law based on the complaint.
The police have assured a thorough investigation and appropriate action against those found guilty, Singh added. -- PTI
11:33 Now, plaints against Pushpa 2 actors, director
Congress MLC Chintapandu Naveen, popularly known as Theenmar Mallanna, has lodged a complaint with the Rachakonda Police against the actors, director, and producers of the movie Pushpa 2, alleging it contains scenes that insult police officials.
The complaint, filed on Monday, cites specific scenes in the movie and alleges that police officials are portrayed as corrupt. It further states that the movie depicts a scene where the hero urinates in a swimming pool in which an IPS officer is present, which amounts to disrespecting the police force.
Mallanna has claimed that some of these scenes are degrading and could lead to a loss of trust in constitutional organisations.
The MLC urged the police to ensure that some of the scenes are removed and action is taken against the actors, director and producers of the Pushpa 2 movie. -- PTI
10:51 Navi Mumbai man arrested 33 yrs after wife's murder
The Navi Mumbai police have arrested a 70-year-old man absconding since the last 33 years after allegedly killing his wife, an official said on Tuesday.
The accused, Babu Gudgiram Kale, was apprehended on Sunday near Mulund suburb in neighbouring Mumbai, where he had been working as a labourer and selling flowers for livelihood, he said.
The case dates back to January 28, 1991, when Kale, following frequent domestic disputes with his wife, allegedly doused her with kerosene and set her on fire at his home in Panvel area of Navi Mumbai, Panvel Town police station's senior inspector Nitin Thackeray said.
The woman later succumbed to severe burn injuries while undergoing treatment at a hospital, he said.
An FIR was subsequently registered against Kale under Indian Penal Code section 302 (murder) and a local court issued an arrest warrant against him, the official said.
Kale, however, evaded capture and remained in hiding for more than three decades.
The police pursued several leads, employing both intelligence and technical inputs to track the fugitive. Initial tips indicated his presence in Mulund area of Mumbai.
But the trail later led the police to Parbhani in Maharashtra's Marathwada region and eventually back to Mumbai based on Kale's mobile phone data and surveillance, the official said.
The accused was caught off guard when the police apprehended him on Sunday, he said.
Following his arrest, Kale was produced before a local magistrate who remanded in police custody till January 3, 2025, the police said. -- PTI
10:48 Bangladesh launches graft probe against Hasina
An anti-graft panel in Bangladesh has launched an investigation against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her family in connection with the allegations of embezzling $5 billion in the Rooppur nuclear power plant, according to a media report.
Indian companies are participating in constructing the Rooppur nuclear power plant which is being built by Rosatom, Russia's state-run corporation, in Bangladesh.
The first Bangladeshi nuclear power plant, the Russian-designed Rooppur, is being built 160 km west of the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka.
Along with Hasina, her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and Tulip Siddiq, her niece and the UK's Treasury minister, were also questioned, BDNews reported on Sunday.
There are accusations of embezzling $5 billion in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project, the report added.
The development came two days after the high court issued a rule asking why the Anti-Corruption Commission's (ACC) inaction over an alleged transfer of $5 billion from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project to a Malaysian bank by Hasina, Joy, and Tulip should not be declared illegal, the report added.
According to ACC documents, the allegations of corruption in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project were brought to light by Bobby Hajjaj, chairman of the National Democratic Movement (NDM).
Hasina, 77, has been living in India since August 5 when she fled the country following a massive student-led protest that toppled her 16-year regime.
Her sister Rehana accompanied her.
Joy resides in the US, while her niece Tulip is a member of the British parliament.
Bangladesh-based International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants for Hasina and several former Cabinet ministers, advisers, and military and civil officials for 'crimes against humanity and genocide'.
They are also named in multiple murder cases filed in connection with the demonstrations. -- PTI
09:52 Last rites of Shyam Benegal today
The last rites of legendary filmmaker Shyam Benegal, who died on Monday, will be held at Shivaji Park crematorium in Mumbai today.
Benegal died at Mumbai's Wockhardt Hospital where he was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
"He passed away at 6.38 pm at Wockhardt Hospital Mumbai Central. He had been suffering from chronic kidney disease for several years but it had gotten very bad. That's the reason for his death," his daughter Pia Benegal told PTI.
He is survived by his daughter and wife Nira Benegal.
09:43 Rupee hits all-time low of 85.16 against US dollar
The rupee fell 5 paise to hit a new all-time low of 85.16 against the US dollar in early trade on Tuesday, amid strengthening American currency and sustained outflow of foreign capital.
Forex traders said higher dollar demand as well as an upward momentum in crude oil prices due to volatile geopolitical situation pushed the local unit further downward even as a positive domestic equity market provided some cushion.
They said the strong dollar and soaring bond yields in the US prompted the foreign investors towards profit-booking by selling Indian equities.
At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 85.10 and slid further to hit a fresh all-time low of 85.16 against the greenback, registering a loss of 5 paise from its previous closing level.
On Monday, the rupee settled 7 paise lower at 85.11 against the US dollar.
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading higher by 0.10 per cent at 107.92, amid soaring US Treasury yields and the fear of delayed interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, rose 0.30 per cent to $72.85 per barrel in futures trade.
On the domestic equity market front, the 30-share benchmark index Sensex was trading marginally higher by 15.97 points, or 0.02 per cent at 78,556.14 points.
The Nifty was up 13.70 points, or 0.06 per cent, at 23,767.15 points.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net sellers in the capital markets on Monday, as they offloaded shares worth Rs 168.71 crore, according to exchange data. -- PTI
Image only for representation
09:32 Fire in Mumbai highrise; elderly woman hospitalised
A fire broke out at an apartment in a 15-storey building in Mumbai's Bandra area in the wee hours of Tuesday, civic officials said.
An 80-year-old woman was found unconscious in the premises following the incident and was hospitalised, while fire personnel rescued nine persons from the building using a staircase, they said.
The blaze erupted in the flat located on the sixth floor of the Fortune Enclave building in Bandra (West) at around 1 am, a civic official said.
After being alerted, four fire engines and other fire-fighting vehicles were rushed to the spot.
The blaze was doused after efforts for nearly two-and-a-half hours, the official said.
An elderly woman, identified as Sira Paryani (80), was found unconscious on the building's eighth floor.
She was rushed to the nearby Bhabha Hospital for treatment and her condition was reported to be stable, another civic official said.
The cause of the blaze was yet to be ascertained. -- PTI
08:54 Owaisi gets court notice for 'Jai Palestine' slogan
A Bareilly Court has issued a notice to All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President Asaduddin Owaisi, instructing him to appear in court.
The notice pertains to an incident where Owaisi raised pro-Palestine slogans while taking his oath as a Member of Parliament.
The court has asked the AIMIM chief to appear for a hearing on January 7, 2025.
The case has been filed by advocate Virendra Gupta who has accused Owaisi of violating constitutional and legal norms.
Earlier in June, Owaisi concluded taking his oath as a member of the Lok Sabha with the words 'Jai Palestine'.
Owaisi defeated Bharatiya Janata Party candidate, Madhavi Latha Kompella, with a margin of 3,38,087 votes in the recent parliamentary election for a fifth consecutive victory from Hyderabad in Telangana.
While being sworn in as an MP in the 18th Session of the Lok Sabha, Owaisi ended his oath with the words, 'Jai Bhim, Jai Meem, Jai Telangana, Jai Palestine'.
Speaking with ANI, Owaisi said, "Everyone is saying a lot of things... I just said 'Jai Bhim, Jai Meem, Jai Telangana, Jai Palestine'...How it is against, show the provision in the Constitution?"
On being asked the reason for saying 'Jai Palestine', Owaisi said, "Waha ki awaam mahroom hai (The people there are destitute). Mahatma Gandhi has said so many things regarding Palestine and one can go and read." -- ANI
08:31 Clinton in hospital with...
Bill Clinton is in a Washington, DC, hospital.
In a statement on X on Monday, Angel Urea, Clinton's deputy chief of staff, said he was 'admitted to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital for testing and observation after developing a fever.'
In a statement on X on Monday, Angel Urea, Clinton's deputy chief of staff, said he was 'admitted to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital for testing and observation after developing a fever.'
'The former president will be fine,' an insider told NBC News. 'He developed a fever and wanted to be checked out. He is awake and alert.'
He is expected to be home for Christmas.
08:22 New IPOs add 3% to India's market cap in 2024
New listings through initial public offerings (IPOs) in 2024 contributed nearly 3 per cent (Rs 14 trillion) to India's market capitalisation, surpassing last year's contribution of 1.4 per cent (Rs 5 trillion).
According to Motilal Oswal, this year's absolute contribution is the highest ever, although 2017 and 2019 saw higher percentage contributions (3.7 per cent and 3.4 per cent, respectively).
IPO fundraising reached Rs 1.8 trillion in 2024, 2.6 times the Rs 57,600 crore (Rs 576 billion) raised in 2023. Notable IPOs of the year included Hyundai Motor India (Rs 27,860 crore/Rs 278.60 billion), Swiggy (Rs 11,330 crore/Rs 113.30 billion), NTPC Green (Rs 10,000 crore/Rs 100 billion), and Vishal Mega Mart (Rs 8,000 crore/Rs 80 billion).
'The past year has seen IPOs from diverse sectors, providing investors with varied opportunities to engage with India's growth narrative, a positive indicator for the Indian capital markets,' observed Motilal Oswal.
This year, the capital raised by largecap companies amounted to Rs 60,100 crore/Rs 601 billion (34 per cent of the total raised by just five companies). Meanwhile, midcap companies raised Rs 49,000 crore/Rs 490 billion (28 per cent raised by nine companies), and smallcap companies raised Rs 66,600 crore/Rs 666 billion (38 per cent by 303 companies, which includes SME IPOs). -- Business Standard
According to Motilal Oswal, this year's absolute contribution is the highest ever, although 2017 and 2019 saw higher percentage contributions (3.7 per cent and 3.4 per cent, respectively).
IPO fundraising reached Rs 1.8 trillion in 2024, 2.6 times the Rs 57,600 crore (Rs 576 billion) raised in 2023. Notable IPOs of the year included Hyundai Motor India (Rs 27,860 crore/Rs 278.60 billion), Swiggy (Rs 11,330 crore/Rs 113.30 billion), NTPC Green (Rs 10,000 crore/Rs 100 billion), and Vishal Mega Mart (Rs 8,000 crore/Rs 80 billion).
'The past year has seen IPOs from diverse sectors, providing investors with varied opportunities to engage with India's growth narrative, a positive indicator for the Indian capital markets,' observed Motilal Oswal.
This year, the capital raised by largecap companies amounted to Rs 60,100 crore/Rs 601 billion (34 per cent of the total raised by just five companies). Meanwhile, midcap companies raised Rs 49,000 crore/Rs 490 billion (28 per cent raised by nine companies), and smallcap companies raised Rs 66,600 crore/Rs 666 billion (38 per cent by 303 companies, which includes SME IPOs). -- Business Standard
01:41 Theatre stampede: Cops to quiz Allu Arjun tomorrow
The Hyderabad police issued a notice to Pushpa actor Allu Arjun, asking him to appear before them in connection with the Sandhya theatre incident that occurred during the premiere of Pushpa 2 movie on December 4, sources said on Monday.
According to sources, Allu Arjun has been asked to appear before the Chikkadpalli police on Tuesday at 11 am in connection with the incident.
Earlier in the day, a group of lawyers was seen arriving at Allu Arjun's house in Jubilee Hills.
They were spotted carrying folders and bags as they entered the house for a meeting.
The lawyers left later in the night after a prolonged discussion. --ANI
01:21 Man held for stealing gold bars worth Rs 2.4 cr in Mumbai
A man was arrested for allegedly stealing gold bars worth Rs 2.40 crore from an office in Girgaon in south Mumbai, a police official said on Monday.
The accused was identified as Chandrabhan Patel (36), a resident of Uttar Pradesh, the official said.
"The incident had came to light on December 18 when a 65-year-old businessman approached V P Road Police Station with a complaint of his shop being broken into. As per the complaint, the accused had entered the office by breaking the main door. He took away three gold bars weighing one kilogram each as well as some cash," the official said.
"A probe led to the arrest of Patel, who used to sell fabric in CP Tank area. The stolen property has been recovered," he added. -- PTI
00:57 Prevent enrolment of illegal Bangladeshi migrants: DoE to Delhi schools
The directorate of education on Monday asked schools in Delhi to prevent the enrolment of "illegal Bangladeshi migrants" by ensuring a strict document verification process during admission.
"Schools must ensure strict admission procedures, verification of students' documentation to prevent illegal Bangladeshi migrants' enrolment... implementation of greater scrutiny to detect and prevent unauthorised admissions of illegal Bangladeshi migrants, in particular," according to the circular.
It directed the heads of all government, government-aided and unaided recognised private schools to refer to the local police and the revenue authority any case where they have doubts.
The directorate of education further instructed the school heads to ensure that a careful process is followed to verify and handle all necessary documentation when enrolling the children of migrants.
The District Directorate of Education (districts/zones) were directed to submit weekly reports of all such cases to the school branch headquarters and the Directorate of Education. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi said BJP members are bringing "Rohingyas to Delhi by crossing the border from Bangladesh, providing them with EWS flats and facilities that rightfully belong to the people of Delhi". "On the other hand, there is the Aam Aadmi Party's Delhi government, which is taking every possible step to ensure that the rights of Delhiites are not given to the Rohingyas. Today, the Delhi government's education department issued strict orders that no Rohingya should be admitted to Delhi's government schools," she posted on X.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan
00:55 US NSA Sullivan speaks with Bangladesh's Yunus
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Monday spoke with Bangladesh interim government's chief adviser Muhammad Yunus and both leaders expressed their commitment to respecting and protecting the human rights of all.
Sullivan also thanked Yunus for his leadership of Bangladesh during a challenging period, according to a press release issued by the US government.
It said that both leaders expressed their commitment to respecting and protecting the human rights of all people, regardless of religion.
Sullivan also reiterated the US support for a prosperous, stable, and democratic Bangladesh, and offered his country's continued support in meeting the challenges that the South Asian nation faces.
Yunus, 84, was sworn in as the chief adviser of Bangladesh on August 8, three days after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India in the face of a massive anti-government protest.
There have been a spate of incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities, as well as attacks on temples in Bangladesh after the fall of the Hasina government. -- PTI
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