Will stand with woman: Priyanka on Maliwal assault

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday said that she's sure Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will take action on the alleged assault on AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal.  

   

While campaigning in Sareni area to muster support for her brother Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka, when asked her view on the matter, said, "I always stand with women. No matter which party they belong to. This is a matter of Aam Aadmi Party and it will decide on it."

She added, "If any woman is mistreated or tortured, I will stand in support of that woman and speak. She is in some other party, if she speaks then I too will. If this has happened and Kejriwal ji knows about it, then Kejriwal ji will take appropriate action. He will find a solution for this."  

The alleged incident took place at Kejriwal's residence on May 13. 

The CM's close aide Bibhav Kumar has been accused of allegedly assaulting the former Delhi Commission for Women chief. -- PTI

A hoarding installed on the roadside collapsed on a stationary mini truck in Pimpri Chinchwad area of Maharashtra's Pune district on Thursday as a result of strong winds, police said.

  

Nobody was injured in the incident that occurred days after a giant hoarding collapsed in Mumbai's Ghatkopar area, killing 16 persons and injuring 75 others.

"A 30 x 30 feet hoarding erected on the margin of the road at Jai Ganesh Samrajya chowk in Moshi area collapsed around 4.30 pm. It fell on a stationary tempo truck and a couple of two-wheelers. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as there was nobody inside or on the vehicles," an official from the Pimpri Chinchwad police said.

A crane was pressed into service to remove the crashed iron structure, he said. 

In the Mumbai incident that took place on Monday, a 120 x 120 feet hoarding fell on a petrol pump due to gusty winds and unseasonal rains. -- PTI 

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal was on Thursday elected as the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA).

 

The SCBA elections were held on Thursday.

 

A Harvard Law School graduate, Sibal was the additional solicitor general of India during 1989-90. He was designated as senior advocate in 1983.

Between 1995 and 2002, the former minister in the Congress-led UPA government served three times as SCBA president. 

In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "Kapil Sibal has just been elected as president of the Supreme Court Bar Association by a landslide. This is a big win for liberal, secular, democratic, and progressive forces." 

"This is also, in the outgoing PM's words, a trailer for the changes that will happen very soon nationally. The soon to be former regime's legal drumbeaters and cheerleaders must be shocked," he said. -- PTI 

The Delhi Police has filed a case against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar in the case linked to the alleged assault on AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal.  

The CM's close aide Bibhav Kumar has been accused of allegedly assaulting the former Delhi Commission for Women chief. 

The alleged incident took place at Kejriwal's residence on May 13. 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday attacked AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, asserting that the Delhi CM has lost his mind after going to jail.

Adityanath made the remarks in a response to the claims by Kejriwal that the UP chief minister will be removed from the post if the BJP retains power.

At a joint press conference along with Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav here this morning, Kejriwal reiterated his claim that Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be made the next prime minister and Yogi Adiyanath will be removed as UP chief minister if the BJP comes to power again.

Adityanath said, "Kejriwal has lost his mind after going to jail. The Delhi CM, who shattered Anna Hazare's aspirations and sided with the corrupt, is now targeting me. He has embraced the Congress, against whom Anna protested, like a necklace."

He was addressing an election rally in Tindwari in support of the candidate for the Hamirpur-Mahoba Lok Sabha seat. 

"Kejriwal has shattered Anna Hazare's hopes. It must be disheartening for Anna to witness the kind of politics that has arisen from his movement," Adityanath said, adding that Anna Hazare might never forgive the AAP national convener for this "betrayal".

He alleged that since assuming power, the Aam Aadmi Party has surrounded itself with corrupt individuals. 

"With Kejriwal in jail, the people of Delhi felt a sense of relief, as if their 'cough' had subsided, but his release would likely cause them to 'cough' again," Adityanath said in a lighter vein. 

On May 10, the Supreme Court had granted Kejriwal interim bail till June 1, the last day of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections, and directed him to surrender and go back to jail on June 2. The Delhi CM was arrested on March 21 in a money laundering case linked to the excise 'scam'. -- PTI 

AAP Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal speaks up for the first times after alleged assault on her by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar.

Speaking on X, Maliwal said, "What happened to me was very bad. I have given my statement to the police on the incident that happened to me. I hope that appropriate action will be taken. The last few days have been very difficult for me. I thank those who prayed for me. Those who tried to do character assassination, said that she was doing it on the instructions of the other party, may God keep them happy too. An important election is going on in the country, Swati Maliwal is not important, the issues of the country are important. There is a special request to BJP people to not do politics on this incident."

Earlier, the Delhi police recorded Maliwal's statement at her residence in Central Delhi.

The police might register an FIR in connection with the matter. 

  

The crime branch team of Mumbai police arrested Bhinde, the director of Ego Media Pvt Ltd, the advertising agency responsible for erecting the hoarding in Ghatkopar area of Mumbai.

At least 16 people were killed, and 75 injured after the billboard collapsed in an unexpected dust storm in Mumbai on Monday.  

The Delhi Police on Thursday recorded the statement of AAP Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal in connection with the alleged assault on her by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar, officials said.

 

Her statement was recorded by a two-member team of the Delhi Police at her residence in Central Delhi.

According to a police officer, Maliwal told police about the incident that happened at the chief minister's residence on Monday.

The officer said with Maliwal's statement recorded, police might register an FIR in connection with the matter. 

The police team, led by by Additional Commissioner of Police P S Kushwaha, was at Maliwal's residence for more than four hours.

On Monday morning, Maliwal went to the Civil Lines police station here and alleged that a member of Kejriwal's personal staff "assaulted" her at the chief minister's official residence, police officials said. Police have not yet received a formal complaint.

Earlier on Thursday, the National Commission for Women (NCW) summoned Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar over Maliwal's allegations. His hearing is scheduled for Friday at 11 am.

On Tuesday, senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh had said that the incident with Maliwal was "highly condemnable". -- PTI

At least 11 people were killed and two others injured in lightning strikes at various places across West Bengal's Malda district on Thursday, police said.

Two among the deceased were minors, both residents of Manikchak police station area, while three hailed from Sahapur under the jurisdiction of Malda police station, police added.

Two others were from Adina under Gajol police station and Balupur under Ratua police station. A couple died in Harishchandrapur when they were working in the fields. The rest were residents of Englishbazar and Manikchak police station areas. -- PTI 

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday offered prayers at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, during his first visit to the state since being granted interim bail by the Supreme Court.

He also paid obeisance at the Durgiana Temple following his visit to the Golden Temple.

The AAP supremo was accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the party's Amritsar candidate Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal.

On May 10, the apex court granted Kejriwal interim bail till June 1, the last day of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections, and directed him to surrender and go back to jail on June 2.

The Delhi chief minister was arrested on March 21.

Kejriwal will hold a roadshow in Amritsar for Dhaliwal, a Cabinet minister in Punjab.

Polling for Punjab's 13 Lok Sabha seats will be held on June 1. -- PTI 

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Thursday hit out at Home Minister Amit Shah over his reported "special treatment" remarks on the interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying it was an "objectionable statement" that questioned the intention of the Supreme Court judges.

Sibal's remarks came after Shah, while referring to the interim bail granted by the Supreme Court to Kejriwal, reportedly said many in the country believed he was given special treatment.

The Supreme Court on Thursday steered clear of the political talk about it having made an exception for Kejriwal in granting him interim bail for campaigning in the Lok Sabha polls but said "critical analysis of the judgement is welcome".

Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Sibal said, "Shah has made an objectionable statement and questioned the intention of the Supreme Court judges."

Shah has stated very cleverly that many people are saying the Supreme Court's decision to grant interim bail to Kejriwal in the excise policy case is akin to him getting special treatment, he added.

"He (Shah) has said 'people are saying'. If people are saying and you don't believe in it, then why say it? If people say and you believe it, then only you have made the statement," said Sibal, who is also a senior advocate.

Sibal said it is important to spell out the laws in light of the statement.

"If someone is convicted but gets a stay from the court, he or she can file a nomination and get elected. If there is a charge sheet against anyone, a person can campaign and also file a nomination, like Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is doing," the Rajya Sabha MP said.

"One who just has allegations against him cannot campaign, what kind of a statement is this?" Sibal said, hitting out at Shah.

He probably does not have knowledge of the law, otherwise he would not have made the statement, Sibal said.

Slamming Shah, Sibal said, "He (Shah) says 'if we win 400 seats, we will take back PoK'. What if you don't get that many seats, won't you take back PoK? We want you to take it back. Firstly, you should take back those 4,000 kilometres that China has taken away..." -- PTI

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday said her party follows the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi who uttered "Hey Ram" before dying and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was wrong in accusing it of being anti-religion. 

   

"They accuse us of being against the Hindu religion. We follow Mahatma Gandhi's ideal who had chanted 'Hey Ram' before dying," she said, addressing a poll rally at 'Chaudah Mill roundabout,' about 20 km from Rae Bareli.

She alleged that while the saffron party claims to be a "champion of Hindu religion," the condition of the state-run cowsheds in Uttar Pradesh remains pitiable.

"They accuse us of being against religion for turning down invitations for the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya. Just look at the condition of the cowsheds in UP where a video showed dogs eating flesh of a dead cow," she said.

She said that during the Congress rule in Chhattisgarh, the party improved the condition of cowsheds and used to purchase cow dung to aid self help groups running the cowsheds.

Priyanka has been canvassing every day in the Rae Bareli constituency, where Rahul Gandhi has thrown in his hat replacing his mother Sonia Gandhi, who had to vacate the seat after being nominated to the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan.

Priyanka highlighted the strong bond the Gandhi family has with the constituency since the days of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.

"Bhaiya (Rahul Gandhi) will follow the tradition after winning the election," she said.

She accused the Modi government of trying to take credit for free ration scheme by putting his photograph on the papers related to the scheme, saying it was the Congress-led UPA government that brought the Right to Food Act.

The Congress leader also lambasted the BJP over frequent question papers leak in UP and promised stringent laws to stop such leaks. -- PTI

A fire broke out in the Delhi BJP office located in central Delhi on Thursday, officials of the Delhi Fire Services said.

   

No casualties were reported during the incident, they said. 

According to the officials, they received a call around 4.25 pm reporting a fire incident in the BJP head office in Pandit Pant Marg. 

"Three fire tenders were pressed into service," the DFS official said, adding that the fire was brought under control within a few minutes. 

A short circuit in the electricity meter box triggered the minor fire incident, BJP said in a statement. 

 "We have informed the matter to the police for further investigation," DFS official said. -- PTI 

 Speaking with ANI while on the campaign trail in Raebareli, Priyanka Gandhi on the PM's statement that the INDIA bloc is indulging in appeasement politics while NDA is doing satisfaction politics, Congress general secretary said, "Yesterday or the day before, he was saying that if he says such words, he is not fit to be the Prime Minister. What happened today? Mann badal gaya ki bheed badal gayi? What happened?"

She added, "He (PM Narendra Modi) says something one day and something else the next day. He will say something entirely different the day after tomorrow. So, how can we trust the words of the Prime Minister? There is no weightage in his words." 

 Slamming the BJP for its slogan of 'Abki baar, 400 paar,' Priyanka Gandhi said, "He used to say '400 paar'. Why does he not say that anymore? What has happened? Four phases of the election have been held and now '400 paar' has ended? Why do they not say it now?" 

 The Congress leader also criticised the Prime Minister and BJP leaders for remaining silent on the matters of inflation and unemployment and said, "... We have been saying from the beginning that the citizens will make these elections be contested on the public's issues... Their issues are inflation, unemployment, farming-based issues, issues of labourers, issues of the middle class and the PM and other BJP leaders should talk about these issues..." 

 The Congress leader also expressed confidence in winning both Raebaerli and Amethi. "We will win both Raebaerli and Amethi," asserts Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. 

 Notably, Rahul Gandhi is a sitting MP in Kerala's Wayanad, where he is seeking a fresh term alongside Raebareli. Rahul represented Amethi from 2004 until 2019. He will face Congress defector and three-time MLC Dinesh Pratap Singh of the BJP in Raebareli. Raebareli constituency goes to the polls on May 20 in the fifth phase. 

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi won the constituency, bagging 5,34,918 votes. Her closest rival, Dinesh Pratap Singh, put up a formidable challenge, gathering 3,67,740 votes. 

 The victim, accompanied by a man, checked into a hotel on Monday, police said. 

On Wednesday evening, the police received a call from the hotel staff reporting that a man was carrying a huge bag in a vehicle, raising suspicion, Deputy Superintendent of Police K D Sharma told PTI. 

 "Following this, the police team reached the spot and found the woman's body in the bag outside the hotel," the DSP said. 

The accused fled from the hotel.

 During the initial investigation, the police found no photographs or documents of the accused as the booking was made under the victim's name, he said. The police launched a search operation and arrested the accused on Thursday, he said. A case was registered under section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code. 

The reason behind the murder and the relationship between the two is yet to be ascertained, DSP Sharma said.

Addressing an election rally in support of the BJP candidate, the PM said the INDIA bloc wants to replace the stable NDA government and make five prime ministers in five years. 

 "Many things will happen after June 4. The INDI alliance will disintegrate and they will look for a scapegoat after the defeat."

 In an apparent attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, he said, "The shehzade (princes) of Lucknow and Delhi will leave for abroad on summer vacations," said Modi. 

 Commenting that running a country is not a play for those born with a golden spoon, Modi said, "They have gone from Amethi and will go even from Rae Bareli." PTI

 Attacking the INDIA bloc partners at an election rally in Bhadohi, where the opposition has fielded a Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate, Modi said, they were conducting a trial of West Bengal's "TMC politics" in Uttar Pradesh. 

 "It is difficult for the SP and Congress to even save their deposit, so they are doing a political experiment in Bhadohi," he said. 

"TMC politics means murder of Hindus, harassment of Dalits and advasis, atrocities on women. So many BJP leaders were killed there and TMC MLAs say that they will kill Hindus by drowning them in river Ganga," Modi said. 

 "You know the kind of politics TMC does in West Bengal," the prime minister said. The party's politics included "poisonous arrow of appeasement", calling Ram temple "impure", banning Ramnavami celebrations, sheltering Bangladeshi intruders and "vote jihad", he said picking on a term used an SP candidate. 

Training guns on the Samajwadi Party, Modi said under the previous state government, terrorists got special treatment and the government was kind towards SIMI. PTI

 In a statement, the poll panel urged electorate to come out and vote in large numbers in the coming phases. According to the poll authority, the updated voter turnout in the fourth phase of polling held on May 13 was 69.16 per cent, 3.65 percentage points higher than the corresponding phase in the 2019 parliamentary polls. 

 The updated voter turnout figures for the third phase of polling in the Lok Sabha election stood at 65.68 per cent. In the third phase of the 2019 general election, the turnout was 68.4 per cent. In the second phase of the election held on April 26, the turnout was recorded at 66.71 per cent as against the 69.64 per cent in the second phase of the 2019 polls.

 In the first phase of the ongoing general elections, a 66.14-per cent turnout was recorded. In the 2019 polls, the turnout in the first phase was 69.43 per cent. 

 The EC said there is enhanced focus on to inform, motivate and facilitate voters in the remaining three phases of the parliamentary polls and state chief electoral officers have been asked to step up measures. -- PTI

 The wife of the Jet Airways founder, who is widely credited to have played a significant role in shaping up of the now grounded carrier, was undergoing treatment in a city hospital. Naresh Goyal, who has been granted a two-month interim bail in connection with a case of loan fraud, was said to be with his wife when she breathed her last. PTI

 Appearing for the ED, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju told a bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, "We are proposing to file the prosecution complaint (charge sheet) against Arvind Kejriwal and AAP. We will do it shortly. It is in the pipeline." 

 The statements were made by the ED during the hearing on Kejriwal's plea against his arrest. 

 The Delhi chief minister was arrested on March 21 in the case. On May 10, the apex court granted interim bail to Kejriwal till June 1 in a money laundering case related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam.

 He has to surrender on June 2. The court, however, barred him from visiting his office or the Delhi secretariat, and sign official files unless absolutely necessary for obtaining the lieutenant governor's approval. The case relates to alleged corruption and money laundering in the formulation and execution of the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22, which has now been scrapped. PTI

 The 91-year-old also appealed to party workers to strive for strengthening the organisation and victory of BJP-JD(S) candidates in the biennial election to six seats (three each from graduates' and teachers' constituencies) of the Karnataka Legislative Council on June three. 

 Two cases -- kidnapping and sexual abuse -- have also been registered against Deve Gowda's son, H D Revanna, who is an MLA and former Minister. 

 "On the 18th of this month I will be completing 91 years of age and entering 92, but due to some reasons I'm not celebrating my birthday. So I request you to wish me from wherever you are," Gowda said in an appeal to fans, party workers and well-wishers. 

"Everyone should honestly work for the victory of BJP-JD(S) candidates in the upcoming legislative council polls, and I request everyone to work with commitment to organise the party," he said in a statement. 

 According to JD(S) sources, the veteran leader has decided to skip the celebration, due to the "difficult situation" the family is in, following the allegations against the 33-year-old MP and his father Revanna.

 Led by an Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP) rank officer, the team has gone to the Rajya MP's residence to seek details of the incident, they said. On Monday morning, Maliwal went to the Civil Lines police station here and alleged that a member of Kejriwal's personal staff "assaulted" her at the chief minister's official residence, police officials said. 

Police have not yet received a formal complaint.

 Earlier on Thursday, the National Commission for Women (NCW) summoned Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar over Maliwal's allegations. His hearing is scheduled for Friday at 11 am. On Tuesday, senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh had said that the incident with Maliwal was "highly condemnable". PTI

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta refused to consider claims and counters of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Kejriwal's lawyer on statements made related to the interim bail to the Aam Aadmi Party national convenor. 

 "We have not made any exception for anybody, we said in our order what we felt was justified," the bench said, adding that critical analysis of the judgment is "welcome". 

 Appearing for the ED, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta objected to Kejriwal's speeches in poll rallies that if people voted for AAP, he would not have to go back to prison on June 2. 

 "It is his assumption, we cannot say anything," the bench told Mehta. A statement made by a senior Union minister, who was not named during the proceedings, was pointed out by advocate Abhishek Singhvi, who was appearing for Kejriwal. 

 The top court was hearing Kejriwal's main plea against his arrest. On May 10, the apex court granted interim bail to Kejriwal in a money laundering case related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. The court has asked him to surrender on June 2. The Delhi chief minister was arrested on March 21. PTI

They identified the victim as Gorvika Nagar. 

 Pradeep Nagar, the victim's father, had gone to attend a wedding function at Jorawarpura village with his wife and two daughters. As the family reached the venue, the mother and her elder daughter came out of the car and Pradeep went to park the vehicle, Khatoli police station SHO Banna Lal said. 

 Presuming that Gorvika went inside the venue with her mother, Pradeep locked the car and went to attend the function. For about two hours, both parents engaged in different groups, the SHO said. 

 When they met and asked each other about Gorvika, they realised she was with neither of them and began searching for her, he said. 

 They found her unconscious in the back seat of the car and rushed her to a hospital where the doctors declared her dead on arrival, Lal said. The parents refused to conduct an autopsy and to file a police case, he added. PTI

What makes him unique is that the Kashmiri Pandits who decided to stay back rarely speak their heart out to the media or take on the government if incorrect policies on Kashmiri Pandits are being implemented.

"The BJP have not mentioned anything about the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley in their manifesto," Tickoo points out to Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com. Read the first of a two-part interview here.

 Addressing a rally in Azamgarh, PM Modi said that he is "amazed" by witnessing the love, blessings, and affection of people. "The love, blessings, and affection of you all have amazed the world. The world is witnessing how much trust people in India have in Modi's guarantee. I am seeing it for the first time that news regarding the festival of democracy in India is all over on the first page of the newspapers in the world. It is evidence of how important India's identity is for the world. The world is watching that the people's blessings are with BJP-NDA and on all our friends," he said. 

 Speaking about the tenure of the Samajwadi Party in the state the Prime Minister said that the old 'Gundaraj' days were now over.

 "You have seen the old days of SP's 'gundaraj'... Yogi ji has rightly implemented my 'swacchta abhiyan' against rioters, mafias, kidnappers and extortion gangs in Uttar Pradesh," PM Modi said addressing a rally in Azamgarh.

 He further attacked Congress and the Samajwadi Party and said that these are two parties but have one shop where they sell appeasement, lies, 'parivarvad', and corruption.

Addressing a public meeting in the Hooghly district on Wednesday, ahead of the fifth phase of polling in Bengal on May 20, Shah said the legendary filmmaker would have helmed a sequel to 'Hiraj Rajar Deshe' titled 'Hirak Rani', if he were alive today.

The moniker 'Hirak Rani' has often been used by BJP heavyweight and the Leader of the Opposition in the Bengal assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, as he accused her of presiding over a loot of public money and central funds."Satyajit Ray, as we all know, was one of Bengal's proud sons and a globally renowned filmmaker. 

His iconic film 'Hirak Rajar Deshe' made waves globally and is still fondly watched and remembered. Sadly, Ray wasn't around when Mamata Banerjee came to power in Bengal as he would have made a sequel to 'Hirak Rajar Desh', titled 'Hirak Rani', seeing her misrule. Mamata Banerjee is the Hirak Rani," Shah said with a smirk while campaigning in the Hooghly district on Wednesday.

The film, which came out in 1969, was a musical fantasy featuring screen giants Utpal Dutt in the role of the tyrant ruler 'Hirak Raja' and Soumitra Chatterjee as 'Udayan Pandit', a teacher who dared the king and aroused his peasants against his oppressive rule.

Hitting out at the TMC over the prevailing state of affairs in Bengal, the Union Home Minister said, "Violence, oppression and appeasement are rampant in the state."

"Our sisters across the country are ready to form the INDIA Alliance government with enthusiasm. From July, Rs 8500 deposited in women's accounts every month, i.e., Rs 1 lakh annually, will change the financial condition of every family," she said. 

 Adding further, she emphasised that a share of government jobs will strengthen women's power. 

"The Centre's contribution to the honorarium of the Asha, Anganwadi and Cook sisters will be doubled. An insurance scheme of Rs 25 lakh will take you out of the quagmire of medical expenses. The situation will change," she assured.

 Earlier on Wednesday, while campaigning for her brother and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka accused the BJP of being unable to combat high inflation. 

 "Women across the country are saying the same thing that inflation has made life difficult. It is difficult to run the household. Every household item has become out of reach. A cylinder that cost Rs. 400 is now available for Rs. 1200. Oil, pulses, flour, sugar, rice, vegetables--everything is extremely expensive," she said. 

 She added that it is becoming difficult to bear the expenses of children's education and medicine, adding to which he said, "Today, the public is demanding accountability and instead of answering, the Prime Minister is trying to divert attention by talking about irrelevant things, but the countrymen have understood everything. The same wooden pot does not boil again and again. This time, the public will vote on their issues and form a government that is dedicated to the common people and not just to the billionaires."

 The operation went on for 66 hours after a giant 120 feet x 120 feet hoarding collapsed on a petrol pump in the Chheda Nagar area during gusty winds on Monday evening, the official said. It was called off at 10.30 am on Thursday, the NDRF official said, adding that BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani made an announcement about it after inspecting the site. Shortly after midnight on Wednesday, the bodies of a retired general manager of Air Traffic Control (ATC) and his wife were pulled out from a car stuck underneath the structure, taking the death toll to 16. 

The accident has also left 75 people injured. The official said that five interconnected girders of the hoarding had to be cut one by one to rescue the bodies of the couple. PTI

The movie, in which Ranaut portrays the iconic former Prime Minister of India, Mrs Indira Gandhi, was initially slated for release on a certain date but now awaits a new release schedule due to her political engagements.

Taking to Instagram, the makers of 'Emergency' shared a heartfelt poster expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support for Ranaut. The message accompanying the poster highlighted Ranaut's commitment to her duties towards the nation and her political responsibilities during this crucial period.

The flight was searched after the note was discovered on Wednesday evening but nothing suspicious was found, a police officer said.

He said the aircraft was ready for take-off when the crew member spotted the tissue paper at 7 pm. 

The officer said the Central Industrial Security Force and the Delhi Police were informed and passengers were asked to deboard the flight. The aircraft was checked thoroughly but nothing was found, he said, adding that the passengers later departed for their destination on another aircraft. PTI

The Aam Aadmi Party chief was accompanied by Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh. The Aam Aadmi Party and the Samajwadi Party are partners in the INDIA bloc in their fight against the Bharatiya Janata Party in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Kejriwal and Yadav addressed a joint press conference in Lucknow.

 Last week, the Supreme Court gave interim bail to the Aam Aadmi Party convenor till June 1 ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in the national capital. However, as per the terms of his bail, the Delhi Chief Minister cannot make any comment about his role in the Delhi liquor scam case.

"This was a tragic incident in which 16 people died. The rescue operation has been completed. This is an active petrol pump that's why our rescue operation was delayed," Gagrani said.

The BMC Commissioner stated that Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has ordered all hoardings to be checked.

"All the hoardings need a structural stability certificate. They need to follow the specifications of size, foundation and the wind velocity that passes through to provide the necessary stability. Three more hoardings are being removed," he said.

On Wednesday, the death toll in the mishap rose to 16 after two more bodies were recovered from a car stuck under the collapsed hoarding.

According to the National Disaster Rescue Force (NDRF), 74 people were rescued from the spot. NDRF personnel have been conducting rescue operations for those trapped since Monday evening, when the billboard collapsed due to heavy rains and strong winds.

Mumbai police have registered a case under IPC 304, 338, 337, and 34 against owner Bhavesh Bhide and others at Pantnagar police station.

 The long-serving national team captain announced his decision via a video he posted on his social media accounts. India are currently second in Group A with four points, behind leaders Qatar.

 "The match Against Kuwait is the Last," the 39-year-old Chhetri said while announcing his decision to retire. Chhetri had made his 150th appearance for India in March and scored on the occasion against Afghanistan in Guwahati. India, though, lost that game 1-2.

Sultanpur goes to the polls in the sixth phase of elections on May 25. 

While Maneka is confident about her seat she says she has not done any analysis on the number of seats that the BJP will win in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

"I have not done any analysis of UP, during elections, I keep my eyes on Sultanpur only, and we will succeed here... We have tried many things for women, and the houses the PM has given greatly benefit them. The opposition tried to bring caste and religion but its impact is almost nil here," said Maneka while talking to ANI.

When asked about the opposition allegation that BJP is trying to gain votes by making Ram temple an issue Maneka said, "In Sultanpur, Ram Mandir is not an issue, Ram is in people's heart but development is the issue here."

Speaking about the key issue that the voters in Sultanpur have, Maneka said, "We help people to get instant justice and secondly the area used to be a criminal belt now it is not and the environment has changed."

 He highlighted that CM Yogi Adityanath's initiatives are now gaining attention not just nationally, but internationally as well. 

During the rally held in Aminabad, the Defence Minister delivered a brief speech owing to a leg injury sustained at a previous rally in Andhra Pradesh, mentioning his difficulty in standing for extended periods. In his remarks, Rajnath Singh praised CM Yogi's remarkable achievements in the state, noting, "Yogi ji has accomplished tasks beyond imagination during his tenure as Chief Minister." 

 Rajnath Singh emphasized that the foremost requirement for the progress of any state is to ensure law and order. He highlighted that CM Yogi's efforts in this regard have garnered attention both nationally and internationally, making Uttar Pradesh a source of pride.

 Under CM Yogi's leadership, the ambitious goal of transforming the state into a one trillion-dollar economy has been set. 

Achieving this milestone, he added, would propel India towards becoming the world's third-largest economy. Rajnath Singh stated that throughout his political career, he has refrained from making promises during election campaigns. 

Instead, he simply seeks the blessings and good wishes of the people. He emphasized that there's no necessity to inform him about the developmental projects undertaken, as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has played a significant role in the progress of Lucknow. He attributed full credit for these developments to CM Yogi. -- ANI

PM Modi further wished the Slovak PM a speedy recovery.

Moreover, he expressed support for the people of Slovakia. Taking on social media X, PM Modi stated, "Deeply shocked at the news of the shooting at Slovakia's Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Robert Fico. I strongly condemn this cowardly and dastardly act and wish PM Fico a speedy recovery. India stands in solidarity with the people of the Slovak Republic."

Robert Fico, who is a four-time Prime Minister of Slovakia, was wounded in a shooting incident on Wednesday (local time) in Handlova, reported the local newspaper, The Slovak Spectator. He was hospitalised following the attack.

Several shots were fired at the scene when the PM came out to meet the people. The alleged shooter was arrested on-site and the area was evacuated.

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Thursday termed 'totally false' Prime Minister Narendra Modi's claim that the previous Congress government wanted to allocate 15 per cent of the budget for Muslims, and said the PM's statements have been 'increasingly bizarre'.

Chidambaram said the prime minister claimed on Tuesday that if he played the Hindu-Muslim divide, he would not be fit to be in public life but the very next day, 'he played his usual game of dividing Hindus and Muslims'.

'Hon'ble Prime Minister's statements are increasingly bizarre and show that his speech writers have lost their balance,' the Congress leader said in a post on 'X'.

'The Hon'ble PM's accusation that Dr Manmohan Singh had drawn up a plan to spend 15 per cent of the Union Budget exclusively on Muslims is totally false. His further allegation that Congress will present a Muslim budget and a Hindu budget is so outrageous that it can be only characterised as a hallucination,' the former finance minister said.

Article 112 of the Constitution of India contemplates only one Annual Financial statement, which is the Union Budget, Chidambaram said and asked how can there be two budgets.

"In the remaining days of the election campaign, it is my fervent hope that the Hon'ble PM will abandon the path of false accusations and outrageous claims," he said.

"Not only the Indian people, the world is watching and analysing the Indian prime minister's statements, and they do not bring glory to India," Chidambaram said.

Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday alleged that the Congress during its previous rule wanted to allocate 15 per cent of the government budget for Muslims, and vowed not to allow splitting of the budget or reservation in jobs and education on the basis of religion.

Addressing an election rally at Pimpalgaon Baswant in north Maharashtra's Nashik district, the PM said splitting the budget on religious lines was dangerous.   -- PTI

A State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) jawan posted at Sachin Tendulkar's house allegedly died by shooting himself with a service revolver at his home in Jamner on Wednesday early morning.

Jamner police said, "An SRPF jawan living in Jamner in Jalgaon, Maharashtra committed suicide by shooting himself with a service revolver at his home. The deceased jawan has been identified as Prakash Govind Kapde. He was in his village on leave for the last 8 days. He committed suicide (sic) by shooting himself with his official gun."

Police is investigating the case, and the reason for the suicide is not clear yet. 

An officer said that this incident happened at 2 am in the early morning.

The Jamner police said that the jawan was 40 years old.

Prakash was a 2009-batch police personnel.

The police have taken the body into their custody and sent it for post-mortem. -- ANI

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is in 'extremely serious' condition following a shooting attack on Wednesday, according to Slovak Defence Minister Robert Kalinak, as reported by Al Jazeera, citing the TASR state-run news agency.

The critically wounded prime minister is still undergoing surgery in the town of Banska Bystrica.

Slovak Interior Minister, Matus Sutaj Estok also said that Robert Fico's condition remains critical, according to doctors.

"We received information from the operating doctors that the prime minister is in a critical condition and his life is in danger and he is still in the operating theatre," Estok told reporters at the hospital where Fico is being treated.

He informed the gunman fired five shots at Fico, adding that the attack was 'politically motivated'.

Robert Fico, who is a four-time prime minister of Slovakia, was wounded in a shooting incident on Wednesday (local time) in Handlova, reported the local newspaper, The Slovak Spectator.

He was hospitalised following the attack and is undergoing treatment.

Several shots were fired at the scene when the PM came out to meet the people.

The alleged shooter was arrested on-site and the area was evacuated.

According to witnesses, shots were heard when the PM came out to meet the people who welcomed him. Fico was then seen on the ground with blood stains.

The incident took place after a government meeting in Handlova, following which the PM was hospitalized.

Several leaders across the world have condemned the shooting incident on PM Fico and wished him a speedy recovery.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that he was 'shocked' to hear about the incident.

In a post on social media platform X, Sunak wrote, 'Shocked to hear this awful news. All our thoughts are with Prime Minister Fico and his family.'

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the act of violence against Slovakia's head of state.

'The attack on Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico is appalling. We strongly condemn this act of violence against our neighbouring partner state's head of government,' Zelenskyy wrote on X.

Romanian President, Klaus Lohannis, too condemned the attack on the Slovak PM, and wished him a 'full and speedy recovery'.

'Appalled to learn about the shooting of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. I wish him a full and speedy recovery. I strongly condemn such extremist acts, which threaten our core European values,' Lohannis said in a post on X.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban wished for Fico's quick recovery.

'I was deeply shocked by the heinous attack against my friend, Prime Minister Robert Fico. We pray for his health and quick recovery! God bless him and his country.'

Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic also condemned the assassination attempt.

'Shots fired at Robert are shots at freedom and democracy ... There can be no room for violence in politics.'   -- ANI

IMAGE: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico speaks during a press conference, before a shooting incident where he was wounded, in Handlova, Slovakia, May 15, 2024. Photograph: Radovan Stoklasa/Reuters

The arrested government officers include a deputy superintendent of police and a deputy director of health services, they said. 

The minors were being trafficked to the state from Dhemaji in neighbouring Assam by two women (sisters) who run a beauty parlour in Itanagar, capital superintendent of police Rohit Rajbir Singh said. 

Based on inputs that a prostitution ring involving minor girls is active at Chimpu, near here, the capital police team conducted a raid at the alleged brothel cum residence of two women on May 4 and rescued two minor girls. 

The minor girls revealed that they had been brought to Itanagar from Dhemaji, by two sisters, the SP said. After being trafficked to Itanagar they were forced into prostitution by the sisters along with the two other ladies, the SP said. 

The child welfare committee was informed and based-on the complaint of the minor girls, a case was registered at the Itanagar women police station and an investigation was initiated. -- PTI

Pawar was speaking at a rally for his party's candidate Bhaskar Bhagare in Dindori (ST) Lok Sabha constituency of Maharashtra where the BJP has fielded sitting MP and union minister of state for health Bharti Pawar. 

"Narendra Modi is the first prime minister of the country who has taken positions that would increase the communal disharmony between various religions and castes. I heard his speech today in Nashik, and it was as per my expectations. He should have taken positions that will bring the communities and religious groups closer," Pawar said. 

Modi had claimed at a rally in the same constituency earlier in the day that Congress, during its rule at the Centre, had planned to allocate 15 percent of budget to Muslims. -- PTI

The special court has taken cognizance of the PC on May 14, ED said in a press release. 

ED initiated an investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by Central Bureau of Investigation under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, against Atiq Ahmed and others for criminal offences related to extortion, cheating, forgery, and illegal acquisition of assets. 

Later, the scope of the money laundering investigation was expanded to include several FIRs filed at various police stations for criminal offences related to murder, extortion, cheating, forgery, land grabbing, and crimes of a similar nature. 

During the investigation, in order to trace further proceeds of crime acquired by Atiq Ahmed and his associates, it came to notice that Atiq Ahmed and his associates were investing their ill-gotten money acquired through illegal activities in purchasing immovable properties. -- ANI