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Wed, 25 December 2024

Man held for fake news about Amit Shah's 'death'

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21:14 Man held for fake news about Amit Shah's 'death'

Police in Ghaziabad's Indirapuram area have arrested a man for allegedly posting fake news on social media about Union Home Minister Amit Shah's 'demise', officials said on Wednesday.

The accused, identified as Rohit (34), a resident of the Moradabad district in Uttar Pradesh, was arrested after a complaint was filed by Bharatiya Janata Party office-bearer Anil Sharma, they said.

The complaint was lodged after Sharma saw the viral post on a Facebook page on Tuesday.

An FIR was registered under relevant sections of the BNS, according to Assistant Commissioner of Police (Indirapuram) Swatantra Kumar Singh.

Charges have also been invoked under provisions of the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, he said.

"The Indirapuram police acted promptly, and with the help of manual and electronic surveillance, arrested the accused near the Hindon River Barrage in Vasundhara Colony," Singh said.

During inquiry, Rohit allegedly confessed that he had posted the fake news to increase the followers of his Facebook page, the officer said.

Legal proceedings have been initiated against him, and further investigations are underway, he added. -- PTI

Four people, including a woman and a child, died and 23 got injured after a roadways bus fell into a 1,500 ft deep gorge in Bhimtal's Saldi area on Wednesday.

The roadways bus with 27 people on board, including the driver and the conductor bus, was coming from Pithoragarh, Kumaon Commissioner Deepak Rawat told reporters.

Four deaths have been confirmed. The injured have been brought in ambulances to Sushila Tiwari Hospital in Haldwani, he said.

"The locals were the first to learn about the incident as is often the case. Even I came to know about it from locals," Rawat said.

Most of the injured are in the general ward but some of them are also likely to be shifted to the ICU, he said.

The vehicle plunged into a 1,500 ft deep gorge, Bhowali Circle Officer Sumit Pandey said.

The injured were first rushed to the Community Health Centre in Bhimtal from where they were referred to higher centres. Some of them are in critical condition.

Relief and rescue operations were launched with the help of locals, he said.

It was difficult for the fire department and SDRF teams to pull the bodies and the injured out of the gorge as the dept to which the bus had fallen was 1,500 feet, Pandey said.

They were pulled out of the ditch with the help of ropes, he said.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the accident and instructed the district administration to carry out the relief and rescue operations expeditiously. -- PTI

IMAGE: A team of SDRF team along with local police, local people and Fire Department conduct a rescue operation after a roadways bus fell into a 100-metre deep ditch at Bhimtal in Nainital on Wednesday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Police have arrested a 23-year-old MBBS student in Madhya Pradesh's Indore for sending around Rs 8 lakh of cyber fraud money to a gang of Chinese youths by converting it into cryptocurrency, an official said on Wednesday.

Talking to reporters, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Rajesh Kumar Tripathi said the accused, identified as Vikram Vishnoi (23), was arrested based on the clues found in the case of cheating a city-based software engineer of Rs 1.35 lakh by placing him under 'digital arrest'.

Vishnoi, who hails from Jodhpur in Rajasthan, is a third-year MBBS student of the Government Medical College in Maharashtra's Alibag, he said.

Through Vishnoi's interrogation, it came to light that he used to provide bank accounts to a gang on a commission basis for cyber fraud and was connected to five Chinese youths through a group on Telegram messaging app, he said.

"We came to know that Vishnoi used to convert the cyber fraud money deposited in Indian bank accounts into cryptocurrency and send it to the Chinese gang. We are investigating thoroughly the role of the Chinese gang in carrying out cyber crimes in India," Tripathi said.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajesh Dandotia said Vishnoi used to convert the cyber fraud money into cryptocurrency through an account of cryptocurrency exchange 'Binance' and then send it to the crypto wallet of a Chinese youth with the secret name of 'TLX' through QR code.

He said that Vishnoi has so far converted about Rs 8 lakh into cryptocurrency and sent it to the Chinese crypto wallet of 'TLX'.

Dandotia said the accused used to talk to the Chinese youth through a chatbot with mutual translation facility in English and Chinese languages.

In order to investigate the transfer of cyber fraud money to the Chinese gang, the Indore police have sent an email to Telegram and Binance to seek information. -- PTI

The Hyderabad police on Wednesday warned that action will be taken against those who spread false information or posting misleading videos on social media about the Sandhya Theatre stampede incident.

The police in a post on 'X' said it had come to their notice that some people posted false videos that the stampede had taken place even before actor Allu Arjun arrived at the theatre on December 4.

The department said it has already released a video of 'facts' that emerged after investigation.

"However, it has come to our attention that some people have deliberately posted videos on social media claiming that the stampede occurred even before Allu Arjun arrived.

"We will take legal action against those who deliberately spread misinformation even when the case is under investigation," it said.

The police said they will take seriously any propaganda that would defame the department which is investigating the case in which an innocent woman died and a boy is battling for life.

Appealing to people not to believe in rumors, the police requested if anyone has evidence or additional information regarding this case, they can provide it to the them.

A 35-year-old woman died during the stampede at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad on December 4 where 'Pushap 2' movie was screened and her eight-year-old son was hospitalised.

Following the incident, the city police registered a case against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management under different sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Chikkadpally police station based on the complaint lodged by the deceased woman's family.

Allu Arjun, named as accused no 11, was arrested by the city police in connection with the death of the woman on December 13.

The Telangana high court granted him a four-week interim bail on the same day and he was released from a prison here December 14 morning.

The star was grilled by the city police for more than three hours in connection with the case. -- PTI

19:50 Centre reshuffles top bureaucrats

Senior bureaucrat Arunish Chawla has been appointed the revenue secretary as part of a top-level bureaucratic reshuffle effected by the Centre on Wednesday.

Chawla, a 1992 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Bihar cadre, is currently the pharmaceuticals secretary. He has been appointed secretary, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, according to a personnel ministry order.

The post of revenue secretary fell vacant after incumbent Sanjay Malhotra was appointed the governor of the Reserve Bank of India earlier this month.

Chawla will continue to hold the additional charge of secretary, Ministry of Culture till the appointment of a regular incumbent, it said.

Amit Agrawal, chief executive officer of Unique Identification Authority of India, will be the new pharmaceuticals secretary in place of Chawla.

Manipur chief secretary Vineet Joshi has been appointed as the higher education secretary. A 1992 batch IAS officer, Joshi was appointed Manipur chief secretary in May last year. He was then serving as the additional secretary in the Department of Higher Education under the Education Ministry.

Textiles secretary Rachna Shah has been appointed secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training, the order said.

Senior IAS officer Sanjay Sethi, who is currently serving in his cadre state Maharashtra, will be the new secretary of the National Commission for Minorities.

He will succeed Neelam Shammi Rao, who has been appointed as the textiles secretary in place of Shah.

Neerja Sekhar, currently the special secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, will be the director general of the National Productivity Council under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, the order said. -- PTI

Image only for representation

19:43 Tourist boat capsizes off Calangute beach in Goa

One person died and 20 others were rescued after a tourist boat capsized in the Arabian Sea off Calangute beach in North Goa on Wednesday, police said.

The incident occurred around 1.30 pm, they said.

"A 54-year-old man died and 20 others were rescued and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment after the boat they were travelling in capsized," a senior police official said.

Except for two passengers, all others were wearing life jackets, he said.

The passengers included children as young as six year old and women, he said.

Spokesman of Drishti Marine, a government-appointed lifesaving agency, said the boat capsized around 60 metres away from the coastline, resulting in all the passengers falling off into the sea water.

A family comprising 13 members from Khed in Maharashtra were among the passengers on board, he said.

On seeing the boat getting capsized, a personnel of Drishti Marine rushed to aid and called for backup, he said.

"In all, 18 on-duty lifesavers rushed to the aid of the struggling passengers and brought them to shore safely," he said.

The injured passengers were administered first aid, while those who were found to be critical were rushed to a medical facility in an ambulance, the spokesman said.

"Of the 20 passengers, two children aged six and seven each, and two women aged 25 and 55 each, were revived and hospitalised," he said, adding that two passengers on the boat were not wearing life jackets.

Goa is a popular tourist destination, especially during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The incident occurred a week after a speeding Navy craft undergoing engine trials lost control and crashed into passenger ferry 'Neel Kamal' off the Mumbai coast, killing 15 persons.

The ferry, carrying more than 100 passengers, was on its way from Gateway of India to Elephanta Island, a popular tourist attraction famous for its cave temples. -- PTI

In a major turn of events, over 100 children in Parachinar in Pakistan have died due to the lack of medical care, as the road has been blocked for more than two months, severely disrupting essential services and worsening the ongoing crisis in Kurram, The News International reported.

The situation has led to widespread protests, with citizens demanding immediate action to reopen the access routes.

This marks the sixth consecutive day of protests against the road blockade.

According to the report, the blockade, which has lasted for over two months, has left residents without vital food and medical supplies.

Agha Muzamil, Chairman of Upper Kurram Tehsil, stated, "The road closures have prevented residents from accessing basic necessities such as healthcare and food. More than 100 children have died due to the lack of medical care."

In response, the Deputy Commissioner of Kurram announced that a Grand Jirga has arrived in the district to begin peace talks focused on resolving the ongoing tribal conflict.

The government is hopeful that these discussions will bring about stability and result in the reopening of roads.

Additionally, solidarity protests have been held outside Karachi's Numaish Chowrangi and Lahore Press Club, organised by Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, to raise awareness about the struggles of Parachinar residents.

Barrister Saif, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's adviser on information, announced that a special police force has been approved to secure Parachinar Road.

He stressed that the government aims to find a lasting solution to the century-old tribal dispute that has caused significant turmoil in the region.

The ongoing tribal conflict in Parachinar has resulted in over 100 deaths and has paralysed the district by blocking all major and minor routes for the past two and a half months.

The situation remains critical, with both residents and authorities struggling to cope with the consequences of the extended blockade. -- ANI

Image used only for representation. Photograph: Caren Firouz/Reuters

Maharashtra State Waqf Board chairman Sameer Kazi on Wednesday met some of the farmers in Latur district who have got notices from the Waqf tribunal over the ownership of their lands, and said they had no reason to panic.

Contrary to the petitioner's claim, the lands in question were not listed in the board's gazette, he said.

A total of 103 farmers from Talegaon and 25 from Budhoda have received notices from the tribunal after a man filed a petition claiming that their lands, measuring about 300 acres in total, were a Waqf property.

Farmers said they were cultivating these lands for several generations.

Farmers had no reason to panic, Kazi told PTI after visiting Budhoda village of Ausa tehsil.

He was heading to Talegaon in Ahmedpur tehsil to address similar concerns, he said.

Kazi clarified that the Waqf Board had not issued any notices.

The notices were sent by the Maharashtra State Waqf Tribunal in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in response to an individual's petition, he added.

"The Waqf Board is committed to ensuring justice. The lands in question are not registered in our gazette, and the matter is currently under legal review in the tribunal. Farmers should rest assured that their interests will be protected," he stated. -- PTI

Gunfight broke out between two armed groups in Manipur's Imphal East district on Wednesday morning, police said.

Armed men fired from the hilltops of Kangpokpi district, targeting the Sinam Kom village.

Armed 'village volunteers' deployed at the foothills retaliated, leading to the gunfight, they said.

Additional security forces were deployed in the area following the incident, they added. No injuries have been reported so far, police said.

On Tuesday night, a gunfight broke out between armed men and security forces at Thamnapokpi and nearby Uyok Ching in Imphal East, police said.

More than 250 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups in Manipur since May last year. -- PTI

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Harjinder Singh Dhami on Wednesday served 'punishment' at Sri Harmandir Sahib for using 'derogatory' remarks against ex-SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur.

Dhami appeared before the Sikh clergy headed by Jathedar Akal Takht Gyani Raghbir Singh, which on awarding religious punishment to him, told him to clean shoes of devotees in the 'jodha ghar' (footwear deposit area) and to clean utensils in the community kitchen besides serving food to devotees and to recite Japji Sahib (Sikh religious scripture) for five times for atonement.

Accepting the directive, Dhami underwent the punishment.

Dhami polished shoes of devotees, cleaned utensils and served food to devotees in the community kitchen of the Golden Temple.

On December 16, Dhami had appeared before the Punjab State Women Commission and apologised for his remarks against former SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur.

The state women commission had asked him to appear before it to submit his written explanation after the panel took suo motu notice of the matter involving alleged derogatory remarks against Kaur.

Dhami had tendered an apology for his remarks. -- PTI

Pakistan's airstrikes on eastern Afghanistan killed 46 people, mostly women and children, a Taliban government official said on Wednesday.

Hamdullah Fitrat, the deputy spokesman for the Afghan government, said that six people were also wounded in the Paktika province bordering Pakistan.

Meanwhile, in a statement, Mohammad Khurasani, the spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, claimed that 50 people, including 27 women and children, have died in the strikes.

Pakistan has not commented on the strikes. -- Agencies

16:34 Atishi accuses BJP of distributing cash

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Wednesday alleged that the BJP was distributing cash to women in Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal's New Delhi constituency ahead of assembly polls in the city.

In a press conference, senior AAP leader Atishi said Rs 1,100 each was given to women from slum clusters at former BJP MP Parvesh Verma's residence at Windsor Place, and their voter ID details were noted down.

Verma, however, denied the charges and said the money was distributed as part of a campaign by 'Rashtriya Swabhiman', an NGO formed by his late father and former Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma.

"I ask the Delhi Police, CBI, ED to conduct raids at the bungalow where crores of rupees are kept," she said, adding that the AAP will make formal complaints to the police and the election commission and demanded Verma's arrest.

Kejriwal has also alleged that cash was being distributed to people in his constituency.

Verma, a former West Delhi BJP MP, had earlier claimed that he was asked by senior party leaders to start preparations for contesting from the New Delhi assembly segment.

In a statement, Verma said the 'Rashtriya Swabhiman' was behind the scheme to provide monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,100 to women from poor sections of society.

"I am seeing the pain of women which Arvind Kejriwal could not see for 11 years. They were hassled... I decided that we would give them Rs 1,100 per month. At least I am not distributing liquor like Arvind Kejriwal. I am happy that I am helping people," Verma said.

Verma said the Rashtriya Swabhiman has been involved in helping people and has redeveloped two villages devastated by an earthquake in Gujarat, and four villages in Odisha that were destroyed in a cyclone.

The organisation also spent crores of rupees in saving the lives of people during the Covid pandemic, providing oxygen concentrators and opening a care centre in West Delhi.

He said Kejriwal and Atishi could make all the noise but he would continue to help women and none of them would return empty-handed from his residence.

The election for the 70-member Delhi Assembly is due to be held in February next year. -- PTI

A team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) visited the site of the ancient step well in Chandausi in Sambhal on Wednesday to assess the progress in excavation work which entered the fifth day.

The ASI officials are studying the structure and the best approach to continue the excavation work.

Krishna Kumar Sonkar, the executive officer of Chandausi municipality, spoke about the difficulties being faced during the exercise.

"Today marks the fifth day of excavation. Our ASI colleagues are here studying the site and evaluating the next steps. Given the complexity of the structure, JCB machinery cannot be used, so manual labour is being employed. So far, the step well's structure is emerging clearly, but it's hard to predict how long this process will take," Sonkar told reporters.

The stepwell, approximately 125 to 150 years old and covering an area of 400 square metres, was unearthed during excavation in the Laxman Ganj area of Chandausi in Sambhal last week.

The excavation follows the reopening of the Bhasma Shankar temple in Sambhal on December 13, after remaining closed for 46 years.

According to local sources, the stepwell was constructed during the reign of the maternal grandfather of the king of Bilari. -- PTI

15:47 Kazakhstan crash: 28 survive, over 30 dead

In a tragic crash of an Azerbaijani airliner in Aktau, Kazakhstan, at least 28 people have survived, though over 30 are feared dead.

The plane, an Embraer 190, crashed while attempting an emergency landing after a bird strike caused a critical situation mid-flight.

Of the 67 people on board, including five crew members, 28 have been hospitalised, with the search operation continuing at the crash site.

Initially, the number of survivors was reported as 25, but it was later revised to 28 as rescuers combed through the wreckage.

While the exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, preliminary reports suggest the pilot diverted to Aktau to manage the emergency. -- Agencies

15:25 Giriraj seeks Bharat Ratna for Nitish Kumar

Union minister Giriraj Singh on Wednesday said the highest civilian honour, Bharat Ratna, should be conferred upon Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and former CM of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik.

The outspoken Bharatiya Janata Party leader expressed the sentiment in Begusarai, his Lok Sabha constituency, lavishing praise on Kumar, a current ally, and Patnaik, a former alliance partner whom the saffron party ousted from power earlier this year.

"Bihar was known for decrepit roads, schools and buildings until the ascent to power of Nitish Kumar, who took the state to new heights. Likewise, Naveen Patnaik served Odisha for so many years. Leaders like them deserve the highest honour, like Bharat Ratna," he said.

Widely perceived as a detractor of Kumar in Bihar's political circles, Singh also asserted that 'mischief' of Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo Lalu Prasad notwithstanding, the National Democratic Alliance was looking forward to contesting the upcoming assembly polls under the Janata Dal-United supremo's leadership.

Notably, the averment comes in the backdrop of attempts by the RJD, which has aligned with the JD-U twice, to fish in the NDA's troubled waters.

On Tuesday, Prasad's son and heir apparent Tejashwi Yadav had alleged, "The BJP has assumed control of the chief minister's office. Four close aides of Kumar, of whom two are in Delhi, are in touch with the BJP leadership. Amit Shah is clearly at work."

The young leader had made the remark in the backdrop of Shah's reluctance to affirm, at an event hosted by a private news channel, that Kumar will be the NDA's face for assembly polls in Bihar.

This has led to speculations in a section of the media that the BJP might push for a strategy in Bihar, where assembly polls are due in less than a year, similar to the one adopted in Maharashtra.

In the Maharashtra assembly polls held last month, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was not projected as the NDA's face.

After the NDA's landslide victory, the BJP, which emerged as the largest constituent, muscled its way through and Devendra Fadnavis became the new chief minister. -- PTI

Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday described late Bharatiya Janata Party stalwart and former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the 'second Nehru' of Indian politics.

Talking to reporters in Mumbai, Raut also said whenever 'raj dharma' is under threat, the country will remember Vajpayee, whose birth centenary is being observed on Wednesday.

The Sena-UBT leader said even though his party was not with the BJP, Vajpayee will always be remembered.

"The present day BJP may be maligning the legacy of (India's first prime minister) Pandit (Jawaharlal) Nehru, but Vajpayee was the second Nehru. He was the Nehru of non-Congress parties," the Rajya Sabha member claimed.

"Despite being a staunch Hindutvawadi, Vajpayee believed the country belongs to all. The BJP under Vajpayee was all inclusive and people believed the party wanted to keep India united and strong," he said.

Raut said even Pandit Nehru appreciated and blessed Vajpayee.

"(Shiv Sena founder) Balasaheb Thackeray had tremendous respect for Vajpayee and valued his word," he said.

"Whenever 'raj dharma' is under threat, the country will remember Vajpayee," Raut said.

Asked whether the Shiv Sena-UBT will contest the local body elections independently, Raut said, "Let the poll schedule be announced, you will know...but we have begun the preparations." -- PTI

A passenger plane travelling from Azerbaijan to southern Russia with 67 people on board crashed near Aktau, a city in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, CNN reported, citing local officials.

Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations stated that emergency teams discovered the aircraft engulfed in flames upon reaching the crash site.

"Rescue units began extinguishing the fire. Currently, information about the victims is being clarified, and according to preliminary information, there are survivors," the ministry said, according to CNN.

In a preliminary report,Kazakhstan's transport ministry said that there were 62 passengers along with five crew members on board.

Russian news agency TASS reported that the plane flying from Baku, which crashed in Kazakhstan, was first diverted to Makhachkala and then to Aktau due to fog in Grozny.

"This was a routine flight initially scheduled to arrive in Grozny. However, due to fog, it was redirected to Makhachkala and then, apparently, to Aktau," Chechen capital's airport press service told TASS.

Azerbaijan Airlines in a post on X wrote, 'The Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, flight numbered J2-8243 on the Baku-Grozny route, made an emergency landing approximately 3 kilometers near the city of Aktau.'

'Additional information regarding the incident will be provided to the public,' the post added.

Further details are awaited. -- ANI

IMAGE: A drone view shows the crash site of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane near the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan on December 25, 2024. Photograph: Azamat Sarsenbayev/Reuters

Two more persons who suffered critical burn injuries in the tanker fire incident in Jaipur last Friday succumbed during treatment at SMS hospital in Jaipur, taking the death toll to 17.

Sixteen others are undergoing treatment.

SMS hospital superintendent Sushil Bhati said on Wednesday that a man and a woman died in the wee hours.

"With two more deaths, a total of 17 persons have died so far," he said.

Bhati said that the condition of three of the injured is still critical.

An LPG tanker collided with a truck on December 20, sparking a massive fireball that turned a stretch of the Jaipur-Ajmer highway into an inferno.

Eleven persons had died on the day of the incident. -- PTI

13:16 Atishi likely to be arrested soon: Kejriwal

Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal claimed on Wednesday that Delhi Chief Minister Atishi may be arrested in a 'fake' case by the central investigative agencies at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal, who was flanked by Atishi, said, "We got to know from our sources that a meeting was held and investigative agencies have been ordered by the BJP to arrest CM Atishi in a fake case."

The BJP is trying to distract AAP from campaigning for assembly polls, he alleged.

"We came to know that they are preparing a fake case on Atishi in the transport department, and they want to halt the scheme of free bus rides for women," the AAP chief said.

"I will not let the scheme of free bus rides for women stop till I am alive," Kejriwal, who is out on bail in a case related to excise policy 'scam', asserted.

The former Delhi chief minister, in a post on X, also alleged that the BJP was rattled by AAP's Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani Yojana.

His remarks came as the Delhi government's Women and Child Development and Health departments issued public notices on Wednesday distancing themselves from the ruling AAP's promised schemes of providing Rs 2,100 to women and free treatment for the elderly, triggering a fresh row ahead of assembly polls.

The two departments also cautioned the people against providing personal details to anyone on the pretext of registration for 'non-existent' schemes, saying any private individual or political party collecting such physical forms or information is 'fraudulent and without any authority'.

Led by Kejriwal, AAP leaders recently launched the exercise of registering people for the two schemes with much fanfare. Atishi said at the press conference that strict action will be taken against Women and Child Development Department officers for issuing a public notice against Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Yojana. -- PTI

Four people have been arrested for allegedly attacking a Christmas carol party from a church in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala in the early hours of Wednesday, police said.

The arrested individuals were also part of a carol party from another church, police said.

The incident was reported from the Kumbanad area under the jurisdiction of the Koipuram police station.

According to the police, the carol party was attacked by a group from another church, alleging that they had not dimmed the lights used for the carol performance while passing along the road.

The alleged incident took place at around 1.30 am when the carol team was performing at a residence.

There was a scuffle during which women who were part of the carol team were also affected, police said.

An investigation is underway to apprehend others involved in the attack, police added. -- PTI

Sanket Koul & Sohini Das/Business Standard

American drug major AbbVie Healthcares Indian arm, which is under the scanner for sponsoring foreign trips of 30 doctors in violation of the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) rules, may be in for more trouble as the government is mulling taking action against the company executive who signed the self-declaration to abide by the rules, government sources said.

According to UCPMP 2024, a self-declaration is to be signed by the executive head of the company regarding compliance to the marketing practices code. It has to be made within two months of the end of every financial year.

This could be the managing director or the CEO of the company.

If taken, it would be a first-of-its-kind action under the UCPMP 2024.

The case has sent jitters down Indias pharma circles who are watching with keen interest to understand implications of a breach of ethical marketing practices.

"Suitable action would be taken against the company executive who has signed the self-declaration under the UCPMP," said a senior government official, without specifying the nature of penal action.

The doctors involved, he added, may lose their registration to practice if the allegations are proved.

AbbVie Healthcare India is under the lens for breach of the ethical marketing code by sponsoring foreign trips to Monaco and Paris for 30 doctors to improve their 'knowledge' on popular anti-aging products Botox and Juvederm.

The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) has also asked tax authorities to assess the liability of the company and the physicians.

The department has also asked the National Medical Commission (NMC) to take action against doctors for professional misconduct. 24 of them went to Paris, and six to Monaco.

On its part, Allergan Aesthetics, which is an arm of AbbVie Healthcare, said, 'We are disappointed in the DoPs decision to find Allergan Aesthetics in violation of the Uniform Code for Pharmaceuticals Marketing Practices (UCPMP).'

At the moment Suresh Pattathil is the managing director and general manager, AbbVie India. He was also the president of the Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India, which represents multinational pharma companies in India.

Meanwhile, this breach has implications for the medical practitioners as well.

NMC is also planning to take action against the doctors who took part in the foreign trip sponsored by AbbVie Healthcare India, according to government sources.

12:20 Net FDI into India slows to $2.2 billion

Subrata Panda/Business Standard

Net foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country has slowed considerably, with latest data released by the RBI in its December bulletin showing that it decelerated to $2.1 billion during April-October 2024 from $7.7 billion a year ago, majorly due to the rise in repatriation and net outward FDI.

On the other hand, gross inward FDI rose to $48.6 billion during April-October 2024 from $42.1 billion a year ago.

The slowdown in net FDI into India is consistent with trends observed in other emerging market economies, including Mexico, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand among others.

According to the state of the economy report in the December bulletin, while repatriation rose to $34.1 billion during the April-October period from $26.4 billion a year ago, net outward FDI increased to $12.4 billion from $ 8.0 billion.

More than 60 per cent of the gross FDI inflows were directed to manufacturing, financial services, electricity and other energy, and retail and wholesale trade sectors.

Major source countries included Singapore, Mauritius, the UAE, the Netherlands, and the US, contributing more than three-fourths of the flows during the period, RBI said in the state of the economy report.

In the recently concluded monetary policy meeting, the governor had noted that while gross FDI to India increased at a robust pace during the first half of the year, net FDI, however, moderated during this period due to higher repatriations and rising outward FDI.

The response to the three IPOs that closed on Tuesday was mixed.

Senores Pharmaceuticals Rs 582-crore offering was the most sought after of the lot, attracting 93 times more demand than the shares on offer and generating bids worth over Rs 31,000 crore.

Meanwhile, Carraro Indias Rs 1,250-crore IPO managed to scrape through with just 1.12 times subscription. The retail and high net worth individual (HNI) portions of the issue remained undersubscribed.

Ventive Hospitalitys Rs 1,600-crore issue garnered nearly 10 times subscription.

Meanwhile, Unimech Aerospace and Manufacturings IPO was also subscribed close to nine times on its second day.

Senores IPO consisted of a Rs 500-crore fresh fundraise. The company is a global, research-driven pharmaceutical firm specialising in developing and manufacturing a wide range of pharmaceutical products.

For the six months ended September 30, Senores reported revenue from operations of Rs 181 crore, with an Ebitda margin of 25.91 per cent and a PAT margin of 13.23 per cent. At the IPO price, the company is valued at nearly Rs 1,800 crore.

Carraros IPO, engaged in manufacturing components ranging from the smallest gear to complete tractor manufacturing, was entirely an offer for sale. At the IPO price, the company will be valued at a little over Rs 4,000 crore.

For the six months ended September 30, Carraro reported revenue from operations of Rs 915 crore and a net profit of Rs 497 crore.

Ventive Hospitality, engaged in developing and managing high-end luxury hotels and resorts, launched an IPO that was entirely a fresh issue. It has hotel assets in Pune, Bengaluru, Varanasi, and the Maldives.

For the six months ended September 30, Ventive reported revenue from operations of Rs 846 crore and a net loss of Rs 138 crore. At the IPO price, the company is valued at nearly Rs 15,000 crore.

This week has seen a flurry of IPO activity, with nine offerings hitting the market, seeking to raise a combined Rs 6,840 crore, making it the busiest week for IPOs this year.

The five IPOs that closed on Monday attracted cumulative bids worth Rs 1.4 trillion, as against Rs 2,909 crore on offer. These offerings were subscribed between 11 times and 195 times.

Nacdac Infrastructures value nearly doubled during its trading debut on Tuesday. The companys Rs 10 crore initial public offering (IPO) had garnered 2,210x subscription -- the highest for an SME IPO this calendar year.

Shares of Nacdac, a civil and structural construction firm, ended at Rs 69.8 versus the issue price of Rs 35. At the last close, the company was valued at Rs 73.5 crore. The companys IPO attracted bids worth Rs 14,385 crore and over 7.5 million applications.

Tata Investment Corporations (TICLs) shares rose as much as 13.4 per cent following reports that Tata Capital is gearing up for a $2 billion initial public offering.

According to its annual report, TICL holds 80.7 million shares of Tata Capital as of March 31. Shares of TICL ended at Rs 6,799, up Rs 267, or 4.1 per cent, over its previous close. Tata Capital is classified as an upper-layer NBFC. -- Business Standard

Sriram Krishnan

12:16 When Zoho CEO wanted to hire Trump's AI advisor

Peerzada Abrar/Business Standard

When Sriram Krishnan was studying at SRM Engineering College in Chennai during 2001-2005, Sridhar Vembu, founder of tech firm Zoho Corporation, came across his blog. It was one of the early programming blogs from India at that time.

'I was so impressed, I wanted to recruit him but Microsoft had already taken him on board. We have been in touch on and off as he later moved to Silicon Valley,' recalled Vembu on X, while congratulating Krishnan on being appointed on Sunday as senior policy advisor for AI at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, by US President-elect Donald Trump.

'President Trump has found a great talent for his technology team,' Vembu added.

Krishnan will work with David Sacks, former PayPal COO and Trumps pick to lead the White House policy on AI and Crypto.

'Working closely with David Sacks, Sriram will focus on ensuring continued American leadership in AI and help shape and coordinate AI policy across government, including working with the Presidents Council of Advisors on Science and Technology,' said Trump.

Krishnan was born in Chennai into a traditional middle-class family. In one interview, he shared that his life took a pivotal turn when he persuaded his father to buy him a computer -- a significant luxury in the late 1990s. However, Internet access was out of reach at the time due to the high cost of dial-up connections.

Undeterred, Krishnan turned to coding books, teaching himself the basics and practising every night. When one of Krishnans blog posts about Microsoft caught the attention of a company executive, it led him being hired in 2005.

Krishnan, who began his career as a founding member of Windows Azure, moved to the US in 2007. He became a well-known figure in the technology world of Silicon Valley and beyond and served in senior product positions at big tech companies such as Microsoft, Facebook (Meta), Snap and Twitter.

In addition to building, leading, or overseeing such products as Facebook Audience Network, Twitters home timeline, and trending topics, Krishnan also became a coach, mentor, and advisor to a new generation of up-and-coming founders and quality companies such as Cameo, Figma, Notion, and Scale.

Meanwhile, his wife worked at Facebook and Netflix before founding a few of her own companies and was also an investor and product executive. The couple got American citizenship in 2017.

Krishnans skills and experiences helped him land a job as general partner at VC firm a16z in 2021. There he opened and ran the a16zs UK office and drove its international strategy. Marc Andreessen, the co-founder of a16z is of the view that Krishnans appointment is a 1,000x upgrade for the US government.

'It puts the US firmly in the drivers seat for AI policy globally. Sriram is the right man for the topic and the time,' said Andreessen on X.
Krishnan came under the spotlight in the recent past, when Elon Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion in 2022 and handpicked the Indian-origin tech executive to run the microblogging platform temporarily.

'It was fun to work with Sriram on the X/Twitter Transition and I look forward to doing it again, collaborating on AI policy. Sriram is a well-known and well-liked figure in Silicon Valley, a sign of the extraordinary talent President Trump is attracting to his administration,' said David Sacks on X.

11:12 20 trains delayed due to dense fog in Delhi

Dense fog and poor visibility in New Delhi caused major disruptions on Christmas morning, with 20 trains departing from the city delayed, including major services like the Mumbai Central Rajdhani Express and Dakshin Express.

The fog, coupled with the persisting cold temperature and poor visibility, added to the problems.

The trains delayed included the Mumbai Central Rajdhani express running from New Delhi to Mumbai, Durg-Hazrat Nizammudin expres running from Durg to Delhi, Dakshin express running from Delhi to Hyderabad, Duronto express and the Jabalpur-Hazrat Nizammudin Gondwana Express running from Jabalpur to Delhi among other trains.

The temperature recorded in the city was 10 degrees Celsius, according to the Indian meteorological department.

Visibility in the city was recorded at 100 meters due to dense fog at 5:30 am.

Locals said that they used bonfires to keep themselves warm.

"The temperature have dropped down a lot due to the rain that took place yesterday. We have to use bonfires to keep ourselves warm.." Mohammad Javed Ansari, a local said. -- ANI

The Delhi police arrested two women for kidnapping a 4-year-old girl, the police said.

The child was rescued after 20 days.

The accused, Roma Gupta (36) and Mona Kashyap (32) revealed during interrogation that one of them, struggling with infertility issues planned to abduct a child, the police said.

The investigation began after the mother of the kidnapped girl filed a missing person complaint on December 1, reporting that her daughter was missing from a government MCD School in Rajouri Garden.

The police reviewed footage from over 200 CCTV cameras and circulated photos of the missing girl in nearby localities.

The suspects' and victims' photos were also shared in social media groups in areas between Rajouri Garden and Rewla Khanpur, where the suspects' movement was noted, officials said.

On December 23, around 12:30 pm, a secret informer from Chander Vihar reported that a girl matching the description of the missing child had been spotted near a Gurudwara in Chander Vihar.

Upon receiving this tip, the team arrived in Chander Vihar, Nilothi, and showed the girl's photos and videos to residents and shopkeepers.

After a thorough investigation, the 4-year-old was safely rescued from Nilothi, Delhi. -- ANI

Overseas Indians deposited around $12 billion in non-resident Indian deposit schemes in April-October (FY25), almost double the amount they deposited during the same period last year, data released by the RBI on Tuesday showed.

In April-October (FY25), inflows into the NRI schemes stood at $11.89 billion, compared to $6.11 billion during the same period a year ago.

With this, the total outstanding NRI deposits as of October 2024 stood at $162.69 billion, compared to $143.48 billion during the same period last year.

In October alone, a little over $1 billion was deposited by overseas Indians in various NRI deposit schemes.

NRI deposit schemes include foreign currency non-resident (FCNR) deposits, non-resident external (NRE) deposits, and non-resident ordinary (NRO) deposits.

During the April-October period, the maximum flows came into FCNR (B) deposits.

According to RBI data, about $6.1 billion flowed into these accounts during this period, compared to $2.06 billion in the corresponding period a year ago, taking the total outstanding amount in such accounts to $31.87 billion.

An FCNR (B) account lets customers maintain a fixed deposit in India in freely convertible foreign currencies for a tenure ranging from one to five years.

Since the account is maintained in foreign currency, it secures funds against currency fluctuations during the tenure of the deposit.

At the recent monetary policy meeting, the RBI raised the interest rate ceilings on foreign currency non-resident bank [FCNR (B)] deposits.

This move by the RBI is aimed at providing banks with an additional avenue for raising funds, thereby encouraging more dollar inflows, which in turn would likely give a cushion to the rupee at a time when it is depreciating sharply against the US dollar.

Meanwhile, NRE deposits witnessed an inflow of $3.09 billion during this period, compared to an inflow of $1.95 billion in the corresponding period a year ago.

NRE deposits are a high-return rupee deposit option for NRIs to invest their foreign income.

Similarly, NRO deposits also saw substantial flows of $2.66 billion in the April-October period, compared to $2 billion during the same period a year ago.

An NRO account is a rupee-denominated bank account for NRIs, persons of Indian origin, and overseas citizens of India who wish to deposit income earned in India. -- Business Standard

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10:37 RBI Sells $9.2 Bn In Oct, Highest Monthly Sale Since...

The Reserve Bank of India net sold $9.2 billion in October, the highest monthly sale in more than two years, since September 2022, when the RBI had net sold $10.3 billion worth of the greenback.

According to the central bank's monthly bulletin, the RBI bought $27.5 billion and sold $36.7 billion of foreign currency in October.

The rupee had breached the 84 per dollar mark on October 11 of the current year.

"The 83.98 per dollar level saw aggressive intervention by the RBI, which is being reflected," said a foreign exchange dealer at a state-owned bank.

The rupee depreciated by 0.34 percent in October.

Since October 11, the local currency has depreciated by 1.44 percent, moving past the 85 per dollar mark.

"At the end of October, we saw massive outflows because of the US elections, and the dollar became stronger," said a foreign exchange dealer at another state-owned bank.

"The RBI was there at all levels to contain volatility," he added.

However, the RBI was a net buyer of dollars in the first half of the current financial year (April-September), with $8.52 billion worth of US dollars purchased during the period.

In the current calendar year up to October, the central bank net bought $23.07 billion.

In September, the RBI had net bought $9.6 billion worth of foreign currency.

During the period, the central bank bought a net total of $28.9 billion, while it sold $19.2 billion of foreign currency.

In the current financial year and calendar year, the RBI has been a net seller of dollars in four months -- April, June, August, and October.

The central bank had net sold $310 million in October 2023.

In the previous financial year, the RBI net bought $41.27 billion.

The RBI's net outstanding forward sales by the end of October stood at $49.18 billion, compared to $14.58 billion in September. -- Anjali Kumari/Business Standard

Bhaderwah, a serene town nestled in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, is currently witnessing an influx of tourists, drawn by the region's fresh snowfall that blanketed the area on Tuesday.

In the Bhaderwah area, visitors could be seen joyfully playing in the snow, building snowmen, and soaking in the winter charm.

To keep warm, they gathered around bonfires, sipping hot tea. Balkrishan, an official from the Bhaderwah Development Authority, shared his excitement about the season's second snowfall and the growing tourist interest.

"This is not just a local attraction; we have tourists from West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and other states. We've made sure to inspect all facilities and ensure everything is in place for the tourists' comfort," he said.

For many visitors, the experience was nothing short of magical.

Aakash, a first-time traveller to Bhaderwah, expressed his delight: "We heard so much about this place from our friends, and it has exceeded our expectations. It's my first time here, and I'm completely enchanted. My heart feels light, and happy," he shared.

Shivam Gupta, a tourist from Agra, was equally impressed by the region's beauty. -- ANI

A boycott call on a shop counter in Kashmiri Gate in New Delhi/ANI Photo

10:13 Delhi auto parts traders boycott biz with Bangladesh

In response to ongoing tensions in Bangladesh and alleged attacks on minorities, auto parts traders in Delhi's Kashmere Gate have decided to halt business with the neighboring country.

The move follows reports of violence against 'Hindus' and 'attacks' on temples in Bangladesh.

Vinay Narang, president of the Automotive Parts Merchants' Association, stated that the Kashmere Gate auto parts market has decided to stop business with Bangladesh in response to the alleged atrocities committed against 'Hindus' and recent 'attacks' on temples.

"The atrocities that have happened to Hindus there (Bangladesh), our temples have been destroyed, and many of our Hindu brothers have been killed there. It was wrong... Our market (Kashmere Gate Auto Parts Market) has decided that we will stop business with Bangladesh," Narang said.

He added that Bangladesh is a developing country and that the decision to stop the export of car parts until January 15 would halt transportation there.

Nearly 2,000 shops have stopped their exports to Bangladesh, the merchant association's president said. -- ANI

Sunny Deol in Border.

10:04 'Border 2' officially starts filming

Fans of the 1997 blockbuster Border have a reason to rejoice as the highly anticipated sequel, Border 2, has officially begun filming.

Earlier this year, Sunny Deol confirmed his return to the iconic role he portrayed in the original, and now, the cameras are rolling for the much-awaited continuation of the patriotic war saga.

In a recent announcement shared by the film's makers, a picture from the film's sets was posted, featuring a clapboard that signals the start of production.

The post reads, "The cameras are rolling for Border 2! With Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty leading the charge, this Anurag Singh directorial, powered by cinematic legends Bhushan Kumar, JP Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta promises action, drama, and patriotism like never before. Mark your calendars: #Border2 hits theaters on Jan 23, 2026!"

Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 is set to be a grand cinematic spectacle with a star-studded ensemble cast that includes Sunny Deol reprising his legendary role, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty.

The original film, helmed by JP Dutta, was a landmark in Indian cinema, depicting the 1971 India-Pakistan war, and introduced audiences to unforgettable characters like Suniel Shetty's portrayal of BSF officer Bhairav Singh.

A special moment in the sequel's development is the casting of Ahan Shetty, who steps into his father Suniel Shetty's shoes.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Ahan shared his emotional connection to the Border franchise.

"Border is more than a film--it's a legacy, an emotion, and a dream come true," Ahan wrote.

09:26 Modi greets people on Christmas

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted people on Christmas on Wednesday.

He said on X, "Wishing you all a Merry Christmas. May the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ show everyone the path of peace and prosperity."

The prime minister also shared highlights from his participation at the Christmas celebrations hosted by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India on Monday.

In his speech at the event, Modi stressed the importance of strengthening the spirit of love, harmony and brotherhood in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ. -- PTI

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09:01 Pak airstrikes in Afghanistan's Paktika province kill at least 15 civilians

A series of Pakistani airstrikes on the Barmal district of Paktika province in Afghanistan has resulted in the death of at least 15 people, including women and children, with the toll expected to rise.

The attacks, which took place on the night of December 24, targeted seven villages, including Laman, where five members of a family were killed, as reported by Khaama Press.

Local sources claim that Pakistani jets were responsible for the bombings.

Reports indicate that the Murg Bazaar village in Barmal was destroyed, exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The airstrikes have caused severe civilian casualties and widespread destruction, further escalating tensions in the region.

As recovery efforts continue, further investigation is required to confirm details and clarify responsibility for the attacks, Khaama Press reported.

The Taliban's ministry of defence has vowed to retaliate following the airstrike on Barmal, Paktika. -- ANI

08:39 Iran lifts ban on WhatsApp, Google Play

Iranian authorities have officially lifted the ban on WhatsApp and the Google Play Store, signalling a significant shift in the country's internet restrictions, the Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

The decision, which comes after a meeting with top government officials, marks a new phase in the easing of internet blockades that have restricted access to major global platforms for some time.

On Tuesday, a meeting was convened with the participation of heads of all three branches of government, ministers, and members of the Supreme Council, where discussions focused on reviewing and adjusting policies surrounding internet governance and restrictions.

Following the presentation of assessments from relevant authorities, the council approved changes to the existing internet restrictions.

Sattar Hashemi, Iran's Minister of Information and Communications Technology, later took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce the development, stating, "Today, we took the first step towards lifting internet restrictions with unity and collaboration. I extend my gratitude to the President, media, and activists for their efforts. We need this solidarity more than ever. This path continues." -- ANI

People attend midnight mass prayers at Sacred Heart Basilica Church on the occasion of Christmas in Puducherry/ANI on X

08:28 Cities across country celebrate Christmas with lights, prayers, and festivities

Cities across India were beautifully adorned with lights on Tuesday night, creating a festive ambience for the Christmas celebration.

Churches and markets were illuminated with vibrant lights, sparkling stars, and beautifully arranged Christmas cribs a day before the main holiday.

The spirit of celebration was visible everywhere, with communities coming together to mark the joyous occasion.

Churches were adorned with stunning decorations, creating a magical atmosphere that drew large crowds for prayer and reflection.

Markets were bustling with activity as people shopped for Christmas trees, gifts, and festive treats, adding to the holiday excitement.

Visuals of the celebrations are emerging from the different parts of the county.

In Kerala's Ernakulam St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral was beautifully decorated with lights, stars and Christmas cribs.

Devotees sang hymns and carols in celebrations.

Special prayers were offered at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral in Thiruvananthapuram.

In Goa's Panaji, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church was decked out with lights, stars, and Christmas cribs.

Special prayers were offered at St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral in Tamil Nadu's Madurai and the drone visuals of the Cathedral showed it decked up beautifully with lights, stars and Christmas cribs.

In the capital city of Chennai, special prayers were offered at Santhome Cathedral Basilica. -- ANI

A jawan removing explosives from under a bridge in Manipur/ANI Photo

08:10 Forces recover 3.6 kg of explosives in Manipur

In a joint operation, the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and Manipur Police recovered 3.6 kg of explosives, along with detonators and other accessories, under a bridge on the Imphal-Churachandpur route in Churachandpur district on Tuesday.

"Acting on specific intelligence on presence of IEDs in general area Leisang village, Churachandpur district, #Manipur, #AssamRifles formation under #Spear Corps and @manipur_police launched a joint search operation and recovered 3.6 Kgs of explosives, detonators, cordtex and other accessories under a bridge on the Imphal-Churachandpur route," Indian Army's Spear Corps said in a post on X.

Earlier, the Army and the Manipur police launched a search operation and recovered five Improvised explosive devices, weighing 21.5 kg at multiple locations, PRO defence Guwahati said in a release on Tuesday.

The operation was launched based on specific intelligence of the presence of explosives in the general area of Maphitel Ridge in Manipur's Imphal East district.

Eva, the explosive detection dog and bomb disposal squad of the Army played a crucial role in the detection and recovery of these IEDs, the release added. -- ANI

The mandala pooja, a key ritual marking the conclusion of the first phase of the annual pilgrimage to the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa Temple, will take place on December 26.

The ritual will be carried out between noon and 12.30 pm on the day by temple tantri (head priest) Kandararu Rajeevaru, Travancore Devaswom Board president P S Prasanth said in a press conference in Kottayam on Tuesday.

The ceremonial "thanka anki" procession, commenced from the Aranmula Parthasarathi Temple in Pathanamthitta on Sunday, would reach Pamba by Wednesday afternoon, he said. The procession will first be welcomed by Devaswom minister VN Vasavan at Pamba, and then received by the TDB president and members at the Sannidhanam (temple complex) in the evening.

Later, the "thanka anki," the sacred attire, would be draped on the idol of the presiding deity before the 'aarathi.'

After the mandala pooja and the "neyyabhishekam," the portals of the Lord Ayyappa temple would be closed by 11 pm on December 26, marking the culmination of the first leg of the annual pilgrimage, he said. -- PTI

An MP-MLA court on Tuesday rejected anticipatory bail plea of former MP Kadir Rana and his brother-in-law Yusuf in a case related to alleged obstruction of duties of a GST team during a raid at a factory in Muzzafarnagar.

Special Judge Gopal Upadhyaya rejected the plea, saying that there is no ground for granting the anticipatory bail.

According to the prosecution, police registered a case against about 300 people under various sections of BNS for allegedly vandalising a GST officer's car and obstructing official duties of a GST team during a raid at a factory here on December 5.

Four people, including two daughters of former MP Rana, were arrested in connection with the case.

"300 people were involved in the incident, with the situation escalating as a GST team, led by Deputy Director Sharea Gupta, arrived to inspect the Rana Steel Factory. The crowd reportedly began pelting stones at the officers' car, damaging the vehicle, and obstructing the GST team's duties," SP City Satyanarain Prajapati had earlier said.

Following this, the police reached the spot to restore order. -- PTI

Medical Services Centre activists and nurses stage a protest against CBI's alleged failure in the RG Kar rape-murder probe/ANI Photo, in Kolkata

00:40 Medicos protest against CBI delay in RG Kar probe

Agitating junior doctors on Tuesday staged a protest outside the CBI's Salt Lake office in Kolkata, accusing the agency of unnecessary delay in investigating the RG Kar case and collusion with the Kolkata police to protect the criminals.

As part of their protest, the junior doctors symbolically locked the gate of the CBI office at the CGO Complex, demanding that the agency expedite the probe.

A confrontation took place when security personnel removed the symbolic lock from the gate, leading to a scuffle between the doctors and policemen deployed at the spot.

One of the protesting doctors expressed his frustration, saying, "We are losing hope in the way the CBI is handling the investigation. If this continues, it would be better if they shut down their office in Kolkata."

Another doctor added, "Even after so many days, our sister 'Abhaya' has not received justice. The CBI detectives are working with Kolkata Police to protect the perpetrators. We don't want this type of CBI."

Meanwhile, representatives from the Abhaya Mancha and the Joint Platform of Doctors continued their protest at Dorina Crossing in central Kolkata's Esplanade area, demanding speedy justice for the deceased doctor.

Around 8 pm, they lit candles near their make-shift stage as part of their 'Droher Alo Jalan' initiative.

The protesters were also joined by a good number of people from different parts of the city.

"We would like to extend our protest demonstration till December 31. We shall again move the court seeking permission for that," one of the agitating senior doctors said.

The agitators also formed a human chain at the Dorina Crossing. -- PTI

Man held for fake news about Amit Shah's 'death'

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