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Mon, 30 September 2024
Garba entry only after sipping cow urine: BJP leader
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23:36 Garba entry only after sipping cow urine: BJP leader
A Bharatiya Janata Party functionary from Indore district on Monday urged organisers to make people sip gaumutra (cow urine) before letting them in garba pandals during Navratri festival as a Hindu can never refuse this precondition.
The Congress questioned the BJP leader's call, terming it a new tactic of polarisation by the saffron party. Proposing aachman, BJP district president Chintu Verma told reporters that the aachman practice has great significance in Sanatan culture.
"We have requested organisers to ensure devotees do aachaman with cow urine before allowing them to enter garba pandals," he said.
According to Hindu customs, aachaman means taking a sip of water while reciting mantras for purification before starting religious rituals.
Queried about the rationale behind this demand, Verma said sometimes some people join these events which generate certain discussions.
"Aadhaar card can be edited. However, if a person is a Hindu, he will enter the Garba pandal only after aachaman of cow urine and there is no question of refusing it," he reasoned. -- PTI
A view of Chennai airport/File image
23:20 Air show: Chennai airport announces flight schedule changes from Oct 1-8
The Chennai airport on Monday announced closures extending up to a maximum of two hours between October 1 and 8 on account of the IAF's Air show slated in Chennai on October 6.
To ensure minimal disruptions, the airport has shared a detailed schedule of these closures, ranging from 15 minutes to two hours at various intervals, CV Deepak, airport director said in an official release.
"The first closure will occur on October 1, from 13:45 to 15:15 (hrs), followed by additional intervals on October 2,3,5,6,7 and 8. We encourage passengers to stay updated by checking flight schedules and communicating with their airlines for the latest information," he said.
"Chennai International Airport is working in close coordination with the Indian Air Force to ensure a smooth travel experience during this extraordinary event. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to celebrating this occasion with you while supporting your travel plans," Deepak added.
The Indian Air Force will display its full defence prowess, especially air capability and also showcase its range of new aircraft including Rafale, in action at a breathtaking display over the Marina sky on October 6, as part of the 92nd IAF Day. -- PTI
Sonam Wangchuk/File image
22:50 Activist Sonam Wangchuk stopped at Delhi border
Ladakh-based activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk along with 150 activists has been stopped at Delhi border by the police on Monday, he said in an Instagram post.
"I AM BEING DETAINED... along with 150 padyatris at Delhi Border, by a police force of 100s some say 1,000. Many elderly men & women in their 80s and few dozen Army veterans... Our fate is unknown. We were on a most peaceful march to Bapu's Samadhi... in the largest democracy in the world, the mother of democracy... Hai Ram!' he said in the post.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah/File image
22:29 Sidda's wife surrenders 14 plots after ED action
Wife of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Parvathi has written to Mysuru Urban Development Authority for surrendering 14 plots allotted to her after the Enforcement Directorate on Monday booked the CM, his wife and some others in a money laundering case linked to the MUDA land allotment case.
Her letter to the MUDA reads, "Further, I wish to surrender and return the compensation plots by cancelling the deeds of 14 plots executed in my favour by the Mysore Urban Development Authority. I am also handing over the possession of the plots back to the Mysore Urban Development Authority. Kindly take necessary steps in this regard as soon as possible." -- ANI
The ATM in Thrissur, Kerala, that was broken into. Pic: ANI Photo
22:05 Kerala ATM heist suspect's leg amputated
The right lower limb of a suspect in the ATM heist in Kerala's Thrissur district, who sustained bullet injuries, was amputated at a government hospital in Coimbatore, the police said on Monday.
The suspect, later identified as Mohammed Azar Ali (30), was part of the seven-member gang that carried out the heist. He was shot at and nabbed by the police when he attacked them and attempted to flee with a money bag while his associate Jamal, the container truck driver, was gunned down by the police after he assaulted the latter and made a bid to escape.
The gang from Haryana was nabbed after a dramatic chase in Kumarapalayam in the district on September 27 through well-coordinated efforts of the Namakkal police following an alert issued by their counterparts in Kerala.
Doctors attending Ali advised amputation as the blood supply in the limb was affected due to the bullet injury, a police official said. Accordingly, the right lower limb was amputated, he said.
21:44 Manager ends life, kin allege workplace torture
A 42-year-old area manager of a private finance company has allegedly ended his life by hanging at his home in Jhansi over "work pressure", with his family alleging that he was "mentally tortured" by his seniors to complete recovery target.
The police said on Monday a suicide note was recovered from victim Tarun Saxena in which he levelled charges of exploitation against his senior colleagues.
"Tarun Saxena was working at Bajaj Finance as area manager. He committed suicide on Sunday using a dupatta," superintendent of police (city) Gyanendra Kumar Singh said.
"A suicide note was also recovered from him in which he alleged that he was given higher target by seniors, and pressure was continuously being mounted on him to achieve the said target," he said.
Action will be taken after a complaint is filed by the family members of the deceased, the SP said, adding the body has been sent for postmortem examination. -- PTI
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21:34 Man wanted in cow slaughter case injured in encounter in UP's Unnao
A criminal wanted in connection with a cow slaughter case was arrested on Monday after an encounter in which he sustained a bullet injury in his leg, the police said.
"Acting on a tip-off, a police team surrounded Mahtab Alam Qureishi in the Sadar area following which he opened fire. In the retaliatory firing, he sustained a bullet injury in his leg," additional superintendent of police Akhilesh Singh said.
He was wanted in connection with a case under the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act registered at Sadar police station.
The accused has been admitted to a hospital, where his condition was stated to be stable.
One of his accomplices managed to flee from the spot, the police said. -- PTI
Isha Foundation founder Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev/ANI Photo
21:23 Produce details of cases registered against Isha Foundation: HC to police
The Madras high court on Monday directed the Coimbatore police to collect all case details registered against Isha Foundation at Vellingiri foothills in Coimbatore district and produce them before it for further consideration.
A division bench comprising Justices S M Subramaniam and V Sivagnanam passed an interim order on a Habeas corpus petition filed by Dr S Kamaraj, which sought a direction to the police to produce his two daughters, whom he alleged were held captive inside 'Isha Foundation' before the court and set them at liberty.
The bench said it had examined both the detenues and the petitioner.
The petitioner was a retired professor from the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore.
He has two daughters and both had masters in Engineering.
Both of them joined Isha Foundation. Now, the grievances of the petitioner was that the foundation was abusing certain persons, by brainwashing and converting them as monks and not even allowing the parents and relatives to meet them.
The situation inside the institution was also widely criticized by the petitioner in the present petition.
The petitioner in person would submit that even recently a criminal case under POCSO has been registered against a doctor, who was working in the very same institution. -- PTI
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21:07 BEST bus gutted in Mumbai; conductor sustains injury, passengers safe
A BEST bus on wet lease from a private operator was gutted in a fire in Ghatkopar in Mumbai on Monday, officials said.
The conductor of the bus suffered minor injuries to the hand while all the passengers were safe, Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking public relations officer Sudas Samant said.
"The bus, which belongs to Dharavi depot, was plying on route 303 from Bandra station east to Mulund east. It caught fire at Gandhi Nagar junction at 1:30pm during a short trip to Ghatkopar. The fire took place when the passengers had alighted at the end of the trip and the bus was making a U-turn to depart for Bandra east," Samant said.
"The driver noticed black smoke emanating from the engine and took the bus to the side of the road but by then the fire had spread. The conductor received minor burn wounds on the hand. By the time the fire brigade doused the blaze, the vehicle was gutted. The cause of the fire is not yet known," the official added.
The incident caused traffic snarls for some time on the arterial LBS Road, other officials said. -- PTI
20:49 Poll code: EC puts on hold Army officer's appointment as SSP by J-K admin
The Election Commission has put in abeyance the Jammu and Kashmir administration's order to appoint an Army colonel as SSP (Training and Special Operations), citing a ban on transfer of officers connected to elections as the Model Code of Conduct is in force.
In its order to the chief secretary, the EC said there is a ban on transfer of officers connected to elections as the Model Code of Conduct is in force in the Union Territory.
Without going into the rationale at this stage, process and urgency of posting of an Army officer as SSP in the civil side during the period of operation of MCC, the Commission directed that the appointment order be kept in abeyance with immediate effect.
If the order has already been implemented, the status quo prior to its issuance must be restored immediately, EC said. -- PTI
20:42 Terrorism has no place in world: Modi to Netanyahu
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu about the recent developments in West Asia and asserted that terrorism has no place in our world.
It is crucial to prevent regional escalation and ensure the safe release of all hostages, Modi said.
"Spoke to Prime Minister @netanyahu about recent developments in West Asia. Terrorism has no place in our world. It is crucial to prevent regional escalation and ensure the safe release of all hostages,' Modi said on X.
India is committed to supporting efforts for an early restoration of peace and stability, PM Modi said.
While PM Modi did not mention any specific incident, Israeli strikes in Lebanon last week killed seven high-ranking commanders and officials from the Hezbollah militant group, including the group's leader Hassan Nasrallah. -- PTI
20:10 Woman among 5 Maoists surrender, two arrested in Chhattisgarh
Five Maoists, including a woman, surrendered before police in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region even as two Maoists were arrested from the forest, an official said.
The Maoists turned themselves in before senior police and CRPF officers citing disappointment over atrocities committed by senior cadres and "inhuman" and "hollow" Maoist ideology in Sukma on Monday afternoon, the police official said.
Separately, two naxals were arrested on Sunday evening from a forest between Bardela and Bade Tungali villages in Bijapur district.
The duo was identified as Jogo Madvi (27) and Soni Lal Ursa (22), active as militia members, he said.
"The surrendered cadres said they were impressed by the state government's Naxal rehabilitation policy and 'Niyad Nellanar' scheme for carrying out development in remote villages," he said.
The surrendered cadres were allegedly involved in attacks on police teams, planting IEDs and iron spikes, damaging roads, and putting up Maoist posters and banners, the official said. -- PTI
RJD president Lalu Prasad/File image
19:47 Lalu sued over social media post on rapes in Bihar
A complaint was on Monday lodged before a Bihar court against Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad over a social media post in which he had flagged the incidents of rape in the state.
The petition was filed before the court of chief judicial magistrate, Muzaffarpur, by local advocate Sudhir Kumar Ojha who took exception to the post on X by Prasad, a former chief minister.
In the post uploaded on Saturday, the RJD president had sought to train his guns at the NDA government in the state, headed by his arch-rival Nitish Kumar, by repeatedly writing "Bihar equals balaatkaar (rape)".
Ojha, who remains in the news for litigation against politicians, movie stars and even foreign heads of state, has contended that Prasad's post has "hurt the feelings of all people of Bihar" and urged the court to put the RJD supremo on trial under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Samhita.
The court has fixed October 24 as the date for hearing the matter. -- PTI
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19:36 Pak's Punjab govt asks Indian Sikhs to carry dollar instead of rupee during visit
The government of Pakistan's Punjab province on Monday advised Indian Sikhs intending to visit the country to carry US dollars instead of Indian currency.
"We have received a number of complaints that Indian Sikhs visiting Pakistan for their holy places are exploited in terms of giving them way less (amount) than the current exchange rate," Punjab's first Sikh minister Ramesh Singh Arora said in Lahore.
Arora, who is also the Pradhan (president) of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, issued the advisory after receiving several complaints about the exploitation of Sikhs from India.
The minister also said visiting Indian Sikhs should not pay any extra amount to group leaders for facilities in Lahore.
The minister said a good number of Indian Sikhs are due here on November 14 to participate in the festivities on the 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the first Sikh guru.
Last year, around 3,000 Indian Sikhs arrived here through the Wagah Border to participate in the event. -- PTI
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19:14 Man jumps off Atal Setu in Mumbai; search-rescue ops underway
A man allegedly jumped off the trans-harbour Atal Setu after parking his car on the bridge on Monday morning, the police said.
The police launched a search and rescue operation for the man following the incident that occurred at Sewri around 10 am, an official said.
The man drove to the bridge in an SUV, parked it near a signboard and jumped into the sea, he said.
The vehicle is registered in the name of one Sushant Chakravarti, the official said.
A passerby alerted the authorities, and teams from the Sewri police and coastal police reached the site and initiated a search operation, he said, adding that officials are also attempting to trace the man's family members.
The tal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu', also known as the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link, that connects south Mumbai with the satellite city of Navi Mumbai, was inaugurated in January this year.
The six-lane bridge is 21.8 km long with a 16.5 km sea-link. -- PTI
19:04 Court asks cops to probe complaint against Raveena
A Mumbai court on Monday directed police to enquire into a defamation and criminal intimidation complaint lodged by a freelance reporter against actor Raveena Tandon over a road rage video posted by him.
The court directed the police to submit a report by January 3, 2025.
The complaint was lodged by Mohsin Shaikh before the magistrate court in Borivli, seeking action against the actor under sections 500 (punishment for defamation) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.
The actor, through her lawyer, had claimed that the reporter was an extortionist who didn't delete a video of a purported road rage incident involving the actor in Bandra from his Twitter (now X) account, Shaikh's advocate Ali Kaashif Khan said.
In the viral video, a man had claimed that Raveena's driver hit his mother, and when questioned, she started assaulting her.
The man also claims the incident happened when he was walking with his mother, sister, and niece near the actor's house.
However, the Mumbai Police, in the course of its investigation found that the actor's car did not collide with anyone.
Later, the actor sent a defamation notice to the reporter, and informed him about the 'true and correct facts about the post as has been revealed from the police investigation' and requested him to delete the video.
However, Shaikh, in his complaint before the court, claimed that in the video, posted on June 2, 2024, he exercised his freelancing reporting and social duties of being a respected citizen of the country.
The video was the result of careful reporting and was produced in compliance with the highest standards of social ethics, as per the complainant.
'Despite the accuracy of the information presented, the accused has responded with aggressive and unlawful measures to coerce the complainant into retracting the video from his Twitter (X) handle,' the reporter claimed.
The defamation notice, demanding Rs 100 crores in damages is an 'exorbitant and baseless claim' which serves as an attempt to intimidate and financially extort the complainant under the guise of legal action, the complainant claimed.
Shaikh claimed that due to the notice, he had been targeted by a malicious insult campaign led by Raveena Tandon and her fan, involving defamatory postings across multiple social media platforms.
He claimed the actor and her associate committed offences under IPC sections 500, 504, and 506. -- PTI
18:41 BSE Sensex: Top losers today
From the 30 Sensex firms, Reliance Industries and Axis Bank declined over 3 per cent each.
Mahindra & Mahindra, ICICI Bank, Nestle, Tech Mahindra, Maruti, Bajaj Finserv, State Bank of India and Tata Motors were the other major laggards. -- PTI
18:40 Sensex goes down by 1,272 points
Investors' wealth got eroded by Rs 3.57 lakh crore on Monday as markets took a heavy beating with the BSE Sensex tumbling 1,272 points amid a host of negative triggers -- weak Japanese markets, rising geopolitical risks in the Middle East and selling in heavyweight bank stocks and Reliance Industries.
The BSE benchmark Sensex tumbled 1,272.07 points or 1.49 per cent to settle at 84,299.78.
During the day, it plunged 1,314.71 points or 1.53 per cent to 84,257.14.
The market capitalisation of BSE-listed firms slumped by Rs 3,57,885.53 crore to Rs 4,74,35,137.15 crore ($5.66 trillion). -- PTI
18:22 Maha govt okays 255 acres for slum rehab by Adani
Maharashtra cabinet on Monday approved the utilisation of 255 acres of salt pan land in Mumbai to develop houses for slum rehabilitation project-hit people, assigning the implementation responsibility to Adani group's Dharavi Slum Redevelopment Project.
The state government had written to the Centre to transfer the salt pan land in Mumbai on lease.
The salt pan land utilisation decision also covers the beneficiaries of affordable housing and similar schemes.
The Adani group-controlled Dharavi Redevelopment Project will be responsible for implementing this decision (to develop houses for slum rehabilitation project-affected people), the government stated after Chief Minister Eknath Shinde chaired the cabinet meeting.
The 255.9 acres of salt pan land to be acquired include 120.5 acres in mauje Kanjur, 76.9 acres in Kanjur and Bhandup and 58.5 acres in mauje Mulund.
According to the government, the additional chief secretary of the state housing department is designated to sign an agreement with the Union government for the land lease transfer.
The cost of rehabilitating people living on saltpan land will be borne by a special purpose vehicle (SPV).
Earlier this month, the Centre approved the transfer of 255.9 acres of salt pan land in Mumbai to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project Pvt Ltd (DRPPL), a joint venture between Adani Realty Group and the Maharashtra government, for building rental housing for slum dwellers.
The Cabinet also approved a state ports development department's proposal to appoint JSW Infrastructure as the developer for the Murbe multipurpose port, with an estimated cost of Rs 4,259 crore, in neighbouring Palghar district for which a detailed project report (DPR) will be prepared.
The port is expected to become an all-weather operational facility, focusing on handling bulk dry cargo and captive cargo.
Additionally, the state cabinet approved the Urban Development Department's proposal to provide an interest-free loan of Rs 1,354 crore to MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority) for the proposed tunnel road construction connecting Orange Gate in Mazgaon and Marine Drive.
The state government will bear the land acquisition expenditure estimated to be Rs 433 crore and provide the fund to MMRDA.
The council of ministers also accepted a revised proposal of Rs 12,200 crore for the Thane Ring Metro project.
The proposed 29-km Thane metro loop would be 29 km long and have 20 stations on the surface and two underground.
In a major boost to urban transport, the government cleared a proposal for constructing a tunnel between Thane and Borivli (Mumbai). The project entails developing a six-lane twin tunnel spanning 11.85 km with an estimated cost of Rs 18,838 crore, the release stated.
The government also gave its nod to the Animal Husbandry Department's proposal to provide a daily Rs 50 subsidy per animal to gaushala (cow shelter) operators, whose functioning will be monitored by the Maharashtra Cow Shelter Commissionerate.
The population of indigenous cows fell by 20.69 per cent to 46,13,632 in the 2019 Census.
The Cabinet has decided to allot three land parcels totalling 37 acres to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to set up national centres of excellence.
These facilities will come up in Malad (Mumbai), Akurli (Navi Mumbai), and Vadhavan (Palghar) on leased land with an annual rent of Rs 1 for the next 30 years, the statement said. -- PTI
The state government had written to the Centre to transfer the salt pan land in Mumbai on lease.
The salt pan land utilisation decision also covers the beneficiaries of affordable housing and similar schemes.
The Adani group-controlled Dharavi Redevelopment Project will be responsible for implementing this decision (to develop houses for slum rehabilitation project-affected people), the government stated after Chief Minister Eknath Shinde chaired the cabinet meeting.
The 255.9 acres of salt pan land to be acquired include 120.5 acres in mauje Kanjur, 76.9 acres in Kanjur and Bhandup and 58.5 acres in mauje Mulund.
According to the government, the additional chief secretary of the state housing department is designated to sign an agreement with the Union government for the land lease transfer.
The cost of rehabilitating people living on saltpan land will be borne by a special purpose vehicle (SPV).
Earlier this month, the Centre approved the transfer of 255.9 acres of salt pan land in Mumbai to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project Pvt Ltd (DRPPL), a joint venture between Adani Realty Group and the Maharashtra government, for building rental housing for slum dwellers.
The Cabinet also approved a state ports development department's proposal to appoint JSW Infrastructure as the developer for the Murbe multipurpose port, with an estimated cost of Rs 4,259 crore, in neighbouring Palghar district for which a detailed project report (DPR) will be prepared.
The port is expected to become an all-weather operational facility, focusing on handling bulk dry cargo and captive cargo.
Additionally, the state cabinet approved the Urban Development Department's proposal to provide an interest-free loan of Rs 1,354 crore to MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority) for the proposed tunnel road construction connecting Orange Gate in Mazgaon and Marine Drive.
The state government will bear the land acquisition expenditure estimated to be Rs 433 crore and provide the fund to MMRDA.
The council of ministers also accepted a revised proposal of Rs 12,200 crore for the Thane Ring Metro project.
The proposed 29-km Thane metro loop would be 29 km long and have 20 stations on the surface and two underground.
In a major boost to urban transport, the government cleared a proposal for constructing a tunnel between Thane and Borivli (Mumbai). The project entails developing a six-lane twin tunnel spanning 11.85 km with an estimated cost of Rs 18,838 crore, the release stated.
The government also gave its nod to the Animal Husbandry Department's proposal to provide a daily Rs 50 subsidy per animal to gaushala (cow shelter) operators, whose functioning will be monitored by the Maharashtra Cow Shelter Commissionerate.
The population of indigenous cows fell by 20.69 per cent to 46,13,632 in the 2019 Census.
The Cabinet has decided to allot three land parcels totalling 37 acres to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to set up national centres of excellence.
These facilities will come up in Malad (Mumbai), Akurli (Navi Mumbai), and Vadhavan (Palghar) on leased land with an annual rent of Rs 1 for the next 30 years, the statement said. -- PTI
17:37 Summoned in defamation case, Atishi moves court
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Monday moved a sessions court against an order summoning her in a defamation case filed by a Bharatiya Janata Party leader over her claim that several Aam Aadmi Party MLAs were approached by the saffron party with offers of cash to bring down the AAP government.
The chief minister moved an application before Additional Sessions Judge Vishal Gogne, who issued notice to BJP leader Praveen Shankar Kapoor on her plea.
Atishi approached the sessions court through her lawyer against an order passed by a magisterial court on May 28 summoning her in the criminal case filed by Kapoor, a BJP spokesperson, accusing her and former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal of defaming him.
The sessions court directed Kapoor to file his response to Atishi's application by October 7, when the court will hear the arguments in the matter.
The magisterial court had on May 28 refused to summon Kejriwal as an accused in the case. It had later on July 23 granted bail to Atishi after she appeared before the court in pursuant to summons.
Atishi was reported to have claimed that 21 AAP MLAs were contacted by the BJP, which offered Rs 25 lakh to each of them, to switch over to the saffron camp.
Accusing Atishi of making false claims about poaching attempts on AAP MLAs, Kapoor had moved the court with a criminal defamation complaint.
He had said the AAP leader had failed to furnish evidence to support her claim. -- PTI
17:27 Sensex, Nifty tumbled nearly 1.5% today
Equity benchmark indices tumbled nearly 1.5 per cent on Monday due to heavy selling in frontline stocks Reliance Industries, ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank amid rising geopolitical risks in the Middle East and weakness in Japanese markets.
Besides, profit-taking after a record-breaking rally and foreign fund outflows added to the gloom, analysts said. The BSE Sensex tumbled 1,272.07 points or 1.49 per cent to settle at 84,299.78. During the day, it plunged 1,314.71 points or 1.53 per cent to 84,257.14.
17:20 Life is back on track: Dalit boy on SC nod for IIT
Dalit youth who secured admission in IIT after SC intervention: Atul Kumar says, "My life is now back on track...The CJI did great, he said that financial constraints should not pose a hurdle in one's progress. He said that I have a bright future and it should not be impacted."
The Supreme Court on Monday came to the rescue of a Dalit youth, who had lost his seat in IIT Dhanbad after missing the deadline to deposit a fee, by asking the institute to admit him to the BTech course.
"We cannot allow such a young talented boy to go away. He cannot be left in lurch," a bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said.
The top court used its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution in asking the IIT Dhanbad to admit Atul Kumar into its Electrical Engineering BTech course.
"We are of the view that a talented student like the petitioner who belongs to a marginalised group who did all to secure admission should not be left out... we direct that candidate is granted admission to IIT Dhanbad and let him be in the same batch to which he would have been granted admission if the fees would have been paid," the bench said in the order. Article 142 of the Constitution empowers the top court to pass any order in the interest of justice.
The parents of Atul Kumar, 18, failed to deposit Rs 17,500 as the acceptance fee by June 24, the deadline for depositing the requisite fees for blocking the seat. The parents of the youth also approached the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, Jharkhand Legal Services Authority and the Madras High Court to save the hard-earned seat.
16:58 SC commences hearing on plea related to RG Kar rape-murder
The Supreme Court on Monday commenced hearing a suo motu case related to the rape and murder of a postgraduate medic at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra is hearing the matter.
The top court on September 17 had said it was disturbed by the findings given in a status report filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the rape-murder case but refused to divulge the details, saying any disclosure may jeopardise the ongoing investigation.
On September 9, the top court had voiced concern over the absence of the "challan", a key document forwarding the body of the junior doctor who was raped and murdered at the hospital in Kolkata for postmortem, from the records presented before it and sought a report from the West Bengal government.
On August 22, the apex court had tore into the Kolkata Police over the delay in registering the unnatural death of the woman doctor, who was raped and killed at the hospital, calling it "extremely disturbing", and questioned the sequence of events and the timing of its procedural formalities.
16:38 Dalit boy who couldn't pay IIT fees gets admission
The Supreme Court on Monday came to the rescue of a Dalit youth, who had lost his seat in IIT Dhanbad after missing the deadline to deposit a fee, by asking the institute to admit him to the BTech course. "We cannot allow such a young talented boy to go away. He cannot be left in lurch," a bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said.
The top court used its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution in asking the IIT Dhanbad to admit Atul Kumar into its Electrical Engineering BTech course. "We are of the view that a talented student like the petitioner who belongs to a marginalised group who did all to secure admission should not be left out... we direct that candidate is granted admission to IIT Dhanbad and let him be in the same batch to which he would have been granted admission if the fees would have been paid," the bench said in the order. Article 142 of the Constitution empowers the top court to pass any order in the interest of justice.
The parents of Atul Kumar, 18, failed to deposit Rs 17,500 as the acceptance fee by June 24, the deadline for depositing the requisite fees for blocking the seat.
16:01 2.5L US visa slots for Indians open
The US Mission to India opened an additional 2,50,000 visa appointments for Indian travelers, including tourists, skilled workers, and students.
The recently released new slots will help hundreds of thousands of Indian applicants take timely interviews, facilitating the travel which is the backbone of the people-to-people ties that underpin the US-India relationship, US embassy in New Delhi announced in an official statement on Monday.
Sharing a post on X, US embassy in India wrote, "The US Mission to India has opened an additional 250,000 visa appointments for Indian travelers, including tourists, skilled workers, and students."
Palestinian protestors atop the statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh
15:58 Palestinian protestors deface Ranjit Singh statue
In a shocking incident, the statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a revered figure in Sikh history, was defaced by a group of protesters led by Hosaam Hamdan, identified as a Palestinian protester.
The act, carried out in Brampton, has ignited outrage among Sikh leaders and the broader community, with calls for swift action against those responsible.
Harmeet Singh Kalka, President of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), expressed his strong condemnation of the incident.
He said, "Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji, a monumental figure symbolising Sikh pride, valour, and unity, should be honoured and respected, not subjected to such disgraceful vandalism. This act of intolerance is a direct assault on the principles of peaceful coexistence and diversity, which are the bedrock of any civilized society."
Kalka further urged Canadian authorities to take "immediate and decisive action" against the radicals involved, stressing the importance of preventing such divisive acts from occurring again.
Manjinder Singh Sirsa, National Secretary of the BJP, also spoke out against the vandalism on social media, calling it a "disgraceful" act.
15:25 ED may soon book Siddaramaiah in MUDA case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is soon expected to book Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and some others in a money-laundering case linked to the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), taking cognisance of a recent state Lokayukta FIR, official sources said on Monday.
Siddaramaiah, his wife B M Parvathi, brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy and Devaraju -- from whom Swamy had purchased land and gifted it to Parvathi -- and others have been named in the FIR registered by the Mysuru-located Lokayukta police establishment on September 27.
The FIR was lodged after a special court in Bengaluru last week ordered a Lokayukta police probe against Siddaramaiah in the case. The order of the special court judge came a day after the high court upheld the sanction granted by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to conduct an investigation against the senior Congress leader on allegations of illegalities in the allotment of 14 sites to his wife by the MUDA.
The ED is expected to press sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to book Siddaramaiah in its Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR). Sources said the federal agency is studying the Lokayukta Police FIR.
15:15 Fugitive preacher Zakir Naik gets big welcome in Pak
Wanted for alleged money laundering charges, controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik has arrived in Pakistan on Monday morning at the invitation of the Government of Pakistan, amid tight security for his lecture series at Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore.
According to the Express Tribune, he is set to have public interactions across the country. He is accompanied by his son, Fariq Naik, who is an Islamic scholar and will tour the country with him for the lectures.
Upon his arrival at the New Islamabad Airport, he was received by leaders from the top echelons of the Pakistan government, which included the Chairman of the Pakistan Prime Minister's Youth Program, Rana Mashhood and Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Syed Atta-ur-Rehman, as reported by the Tribune.
14:38 If I can reach here, why can't others: Mithun on Dadasaheb Phalke award
Legendary actor Mithun Chakraborty on Monday said if he can get the Dadasaheb Phalke award then others can also get it if they have the dedication and spirit of hard work.
Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw in a post on X informed that Mithun Chakraborty has been named the recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday lauded Chakraborty as a cultural icon and expressed delight at the veteran actor being conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
Chakraborty said he is dedicating this honour (Dadasaheb Phalke award) to his family and countless well-wishers and fans. To a question how he view this in retrospect, the journey from north Kolkata home, the veteran actor told reporters here, "I only wish to tell everyone that if I have reached this far, why can't you?"
"You (the aspiring actors) should have the dedication and motivation. You should have the resilience to face difficult situations and keep doing your work. I can be the example," he said.
Asked about the wishes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chakraborty said "I am thanking him for the wishes and greetings. He and everyone else who had wished me."
To a question about his earlier stint as a Rajya Sabha MP from TMC, Chakraborty said "I had stepped down long back and I am no more the MP. I am an actor who is also involved in social work for people."
Chakraborty said about inferences that his association with BJP had any role in getting the honour, "I am associated with BJP. But I have worked in the industry in all these decades and got the love of people." To another question about the R G Kar incident and the ongoing investigations, Chakraborty said "Like everyone else I was shaken by this incident. We all want all those behind such barbaric crime be tracked and punished promptly. If that is delayed or does not happen then the issue of women's safety will never be ensured."
Chakraborty, who debuted in Bengali film Mrigayaa, and went on becoming a superstar having delivered a string of Hindi blockbusters like "Surakshaa", "Disco Dancer", "Dance Dance", "Pyar Jhukta Nahi". PTI
14:35 Keep gods out of politics: SC on Tirupati laddus
Observing that at least the Gods should be kept away from politics, the Supreme Court on Monday sought to know what was the proof that contaminated ghee was used in making Tirupati laddus.
A bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan also asked why was there a need to make a public statement when a probe had already been ordered into the matter.
"At least, we expect the Gods to be kept away from politics," the bench observed.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench that it was a matter of faith and if contaminated ghee was used in preparation of laddus, it was unacceptable.
The court asks the Andhra Pradesh government about the proof that the contaminated ghee was used in preparation for prasadam laddus.
Senior advocate Siddhartha Luthra appearing for TDP says people complained that the laddus did not taste right. Supreme Court says public was not aware of this, you have only given a statement. "There is no proof that said contaminated ghee was used for prasadam," the court said.
The court asks was the ghee which was not found in conformity used for prasadam. The government replied that it is investigating the issue. "Then what was the need to go to press immediately? You need to respect religious sentiments," says the Supreme Court.
Senior advocate Rajshekhar Rao representing Subramanium Swamy says he is here as a devotee and the statement made in the press about the contamination in prasadam has far-reaching implications and can raise a whole lot of other issues and disturb communal harmony.
"These are matters of concern. If there is a question mark on the deity's prasadam then it has to be examined."
Supreme Court was hearing a batch of petitions seeking court-monitored investigation into the allegations of use of animal fat to make laddus which were served as Prasadam at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala.
13:54 Kangana agrees to cuts to film, Emergency
Actor-producer Kangana Ranaut has agreed to cuts suggested in film 'Emergency': Censor Board tells Bombay HC.
During the hearing on a petition by the movie's co-producers, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, seeking the release of the censor certificate so the movie can hit the screens, the CBFC informed the court that Ranaut, a Bharatiya Janata Party MP, had an interaction with them and has agreed with the cuts as suggested by the censor board's revising committee.
A division bench of Justices BP Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla posted the matter for further hearing on Thursday.
According to reports, the CBFC had asked for 13 cuts in the film, in which Kangana Ranaut is playing the lead role of former prime minister late Indira Gandhi.
13:34 Sensex falls over 1,000 points
Indian stock indices slumped sharply on Monday early trade, and continued to remain under pressure as the session progressed.
Sensex fell over 1,000 points at the time of filing this report. Nifty fell about 300 points.
Nifty bank, auto, financial services, and realty were among the top losers today.
Continued profit booking, escalation in geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and fresh Chinese stimulus attracting FDIs are contributing factors behind the downtrend in the Indian benchmark indices on Monday, said Mumbai-based market expert Ajay Kedia.
"Market is likely to move into a consolidation phase in the near-term. One significant factor that is influencing foreign portfolios is the outperformance of the Chinese stocks which is reflected in the massive surge in the Hang Seng index by around 18 per cent in September. This surge has been triggered by hopes of revival in the Chinese economy in response to the monetary and fiscal stimulus announced by the Chinese authorities," said V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services.
12:51 'BJP must understand Cong doesn't hate Modi'
Congress leader Pawan Khera on Monday came out in defence of party president Mallikarjun Kharge over his comments on Narendra Modi in a rally in Jammu and Kashmir, saying that his "party does not hate PM Modi but loves the country."
This came after Union Home Minister Amit Shah attacked Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday, saying that the Congress leader had outperformed himself, the party leaders, and the party in being "distasteful and disgraceful" during his speech on the last day of campaigning for the third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls.
Shah's remarks came against the backdrop of Kharge's speech, where he said that he would stay alive until Prime Minister Narendra Modi was removed from power after he felt unwell while addressing a rally in the Jasrota area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district on Sunday.
"Yesterday, Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge Ji has outperformed himself, his leaders, and his party in being absolutely distasteful and disgraceful in his speech. In a bitter display of spite, he unnecessarily dragged PM Modi into his personal health matters by saying that he would die only after removing PM Modi from power. "It just shows how much hate and fear these Congress people have of PM Modi that they are thinking of him constantly. As for the health of Mr. Kharge Ji, Modi Ji prays; I pray and we all pray that he lives a long, healthy life. May he continue to live for many years and may he live to see the creation of a Viksit Bharat by 2047," Union Home Minister Amit Shah said in a post on X.
Following Amit Shah's remark on Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leader Pawan Khera stated that Congress wanted the nation to be free from Narendra Modi as '67% of the country did not vote in favour of him.'
Speaking to ANI Khera said, "When will BJP understand that Congress does not hate PM Modi but loves the country. That's why we want the nation to be free from PM Modi and his ideology. Around 67% of the country also wants the same who did not vote in favour of him..."
12:26 5 demands unfulfilled, will go on strike: WB docs
Junior doctors who have been on protest against the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata have said they haven't seen any action on the directives given by the Chief Secretary as per their demands.
"Our agitation so far centred around only one agenda, and that was justice for Abhaya. It has been 10 days since we met with the Chief Secretary concerning our safety and security in hospitals, but we haven't seen any action on the directives given by the Chief Secretary as per our demands," Aniket Mahato, a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, told ANI.
"What we got was another similar incident in Sagar Dutta Medical College and Hospital. If we get something fruitful in the SC hearing tomorrow, we will rethink it; otherwise, we will go for a complete seizure... We have organised a mass rally on 2 October," he added.
Dr Shreya Shaw, a doctor at RG Kar College and Hospital told ANI that their demands have been the same since the beginning of the protest.
"We have five demands that have not been fulfilled till now. We joined our duty thinking our patients needed us but during all this, another similar incident happened in Sagar Dutta Medical College and Hospital... All our meetings with the CM and government have all gone in vain. All we want to say is, no safety, no duty.
"We have our eyes on every hearing of the SC, and we need to keep the pressure high. We have faith that the CJI will announce a verdict that gives us justice... We want justice as soon as possible because justice delayed is justice denied," she said.
Barbra Streisand shared this image on X
12:19 Barefoot, strumming his guitar... Streisand on Kristofferson
Barbra Streisand pays homage to Kris Kristofferson.
"The first time I saw Kris performing at the Troubadour club in L.A. I knew he was something special. Barefoot and strumming his guitar, he seemed like the perfect choice for a script I was developing, which eventually became A Star Is Born. In the movie, Kris and I sang the song I'd written for the film's main love theme, "Evergreen."
"For my latest concert in 2019 at London's Hyde Park, I asked Kris to join me on-stage to sing our other A Star Is Born duet, "Lost Inside Of You.' He was as charming as ever, and the audience showered him with applause. It was a joy seeing him receive the recognition and love he so richly deserved. My thoughts go to Kris' wife, Lisa who I know supported him in every way possible."
Kris Kristofferson, a Rhodes scholar with a deft writing style and rough charisma who became a country music superstar and an A-list Hollywood actor, died on Saturday. Kristofferson died at his home on Maui, Hawaii. He was 88.
12:13 Amit Shah criticises Kharge's 'won't die till Modi is ousted' speech
Union Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Amit Shah came down heavily on Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday and said that the Congress leader had outperformed himself, the party leaders and the party in being "distasteful and disgraceful" during his speech on the last day of campaigning for the third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls.
This came following Kharge's speech, where he said that he would stay alive until Prime Minister Narendra Modi was removed from power after he felt unwell while addressing a rally in the Jasrota area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district on Sunday.
Taking to social media platform X, Shah said," Yesterday, the Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge Ji has outperformed himself, his leaders, and his party in being absolutely distasteful and disgraceful in his speech. In a bitter display of spite, he unnecessarily dragged PM Modi into his personal health matters by saying that he would die only after removing PM Modi from power."
Shah further stated that this shows the "hate and fear" that the Congress has for PM Modi.
Additionally, the Union Minister said that PM Modi and he pray for Kharge's "long and healthy life" so that he may continue to live to see the creation of "Viksit Bharat by 2047."
"It just shows how much hate and fear these Congress people have of PM Modi that they are thinking of him constantly. As for the health of Mr. Kharge Ji, Modi Ji prays; I pray and we all pray that he lives a long, healthy life. May he continue to live for many years and may he live to see the creation of a Viksit Bharat by 2047," Shah added.
Earlier on Sunday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge felt unwell while addressing a rally in the Jasrota area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district. Congress leader Thakur Balbir Singh said that the Congress President felt suffocated due to the extreme heat.
After resting for a while, Kharge resumed his speech, reassuring the crowd that his health was fine and saying that he was not going to die so early. -- ANI
12:10 Jarange plans show of unity at Dussehra rally in Beed
Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Monday appealed to the people, including the poor and needy, to converge in a show of unity at the Dussehra rally to be held at Narayangad in Maharashtra's Beed district.
Dussehra will be celebrated on October 12 this year. Jarange also said he will speak at the rally, which would be attended by the Maratha community people and farmers, but there will no politics at the event.
He was speaking to reporters at a private hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar where he is currently undergoing treatment after ending his fast over the demand for OBC quota for the Maratha community.
Jarange sat on a hunger strike on September 17, his sixth in a year, to demand reservation to the Maratha community under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.
He called it off on September 25, citing pleas from members of the Maratha community to withdraw his protest. In February this year, the Maharashtra legislature unanimously passed a bill providing 10 per cent reservation for the Marathas in education and government jobs under a separate category.
Jarange, however, stuck to his demand for a quota for the community under the OBC head.
"A Dussehra rally will take place in Narayangad where I will go as a devotee and remain present for the programme. I will seek blessings of my community's people who come to Narayangad. Those from Beed and Marathwada and those staying out of station for work purpose should come to Narayangad on Dussehra," Jarange said.
"It's time to show our unity. People from all over the state should come to Narayangad," he added.
11:51 PM reacts to Mithunda's Dadasaheb Phalke honour
Expressing delight at veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty being conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday lauded him as a cultural icon.
In a post on X, Modi said, "Delighted that Shri Mithun Chakraborty Ji has been conferred the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, recognizing his unparalleled contributions to Indian cinema."
"He is a cultural icon, admired across generations for his versatile performances. Congratulations and best wishes to him," he said.
Chakraborty, star of films such as "Mrigayaa", "Surakshaa", "Disco Dancer", and "Dance Dance", was on Monday named recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the government's highest recognition in the field of cinema. PTI
11:34 Graft charges against Sitharaman painful: Sule
After the Bengaluru Court ordered to file an FIR against Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and others for allegedly extorting money through electoral bonds, NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule on Monday said that direct questions will be asked to the government in this matter.
Speaking to ANI, Sule said, "It's very painful and shocking for me because she (Nirmala) is a very fine woman who we have worked very closely with. I hope this is not true. When the Parliament starts in November, we will be asking questions to the government. I looked at her as a very strong and honest woman who was trying to lead this country, and these allegations are levelled and disappointing."
Further, on the Maharashtra seat sharing for the upcoming assembly elections in the state, she said that the process is on and meetings are being held to bring clarity.
"The process is on and meetings are being held to bring more clarity. The next three four days will bring in more clarity. I am not claiming seats, this is a healthy discussion," Sule said.
On Sunday, Karnataka Minister and Congress leader Priyank Kharge slammed Sitharaman over the electoral bonds and accused her of the 'architecture' of the bill.
Speaking to ANI, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said, "The Supreme Court has already told that the electoral bonds are illegal and unconstitutional. The same has been filed here in Karnataka. There are instances where they have forced companies into quid pro quo and the architect of all this is the finance minister and that's what the complaint has said. The court has upheld the complaint. Let the investigation happen, What are they so scared of?"
Meanwhile, Congress MP and advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi came out heavily against the Bharatiya Janata Party over the FIR filed against Nirmala Sitharaman.
Singhvi said that the BJP's plan had been "sinister" and that there was a pattern on how the electoral bond had helped a few firms ease their case with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) or get out of custody. He also demanded the resignation of Sitharaman. -- ANI
11:08 Govt's '80 mn new jobs' claim is fake: Cong
The Congress on Monday dismissed as "half-truths" the government's assertions of creating eight crore employment opportunities between 2021 and 2024 and 6.2 crore net subscribers joining the EPFO database, and said no "spin-doctoring" can take away from the fact that 2014-24 has seen "job loss growth".
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said that amidst the "U-turns and scandals" that have marked the last few months of this "tottering" government, "the non-biological PM and his drum beaters have tried to find some solace in their economic record, claiming to have created eight crore employment opportunities between 2021 and 2024".
"This claim initially emerged from the RBI KLEMS data, which we had earlier countered on July 15th, 2024. The Government's spin doctors have now mustered another statistic - that of 6.2 crore net subscribers joining the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) database between September 2017 and March 2024. Both claims are based on half-truths," he said in a statement.
To justify its claim of eight crore new jobs, the government adopts an expansive definition of employment, without registering the quality and circumstances of employment, Ramesh argued.
A large part of the claimed "employment growth" is recording unpaid household work done by women as "employment", he said, adding that it is not new job creation.
The '80 million new jobs' headline also eludes discussion on the quality of jobs, Ramesh said. Amidst the poor economic climate, the share of salaried, formal employment in the labour market has decreased, he said and pointed out that workers are moving to low-productivity informal and agricultural jobs, which KLEMS is capturing as jobs created.
"This is why the KLEMS data shows an increase in employment during the COVID-19 pandemic years, when large sections of the economy fully shut down. While crucial sectors like education saw 12 lakh fewer jobs in 2020-2021, a whopping 1.8 crore 'jobs' were 'created' in agriculture," he said.
"Thus, factory workers, teachers, miners, etc. who returned home during COVID-19 and had to return to farming and agricultural labour are registered as a "job created" in agriculture," Ramesh argued. "This shift to low-productivity, poorly paid jobs is an economic travesty, which the government is touting as an achievement," the Congress leader said.
"Finally, in the absence of a Population Census since 2011, the KLEMS statisticians assumed a population level to arrive at their projections. Several economists have indicated that the population estimate used was too large, resulting in an overestimation of jobs created," Ramesh said.
He further said the government cites the addition of 6.2 crore net subscribers in the EPFO database to show record employment growth, without revealing the full picture. EPFO only tracks the organised sector which is less than 10 per cent of total employment, he said.
10:47 Aishwarya, Shah Rukh dazzle at IIFA
Bollywood looked gorgeous as they stepped out on the red carpet at the IIFA (International Indian Film Academy) awards in Abu Dhabi.
The two-day event includes the IIFA Utsavam where stalwarts from the south Indian industry were honoured and the NEXA IIFA awards where Bollywood stars were awarded.
10:41 Mithun Chakraborty to receive Dadasaheb Phalke Award
Veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty, star of films such as Mrigayaa, Surakshaa, Disco Dancer, and Dance Dance, was on Monday named recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the government's highest recognition in the field of cinema.
Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw made the announcement on X. "Mithun Da's remarkable cinematic journey inspires generations! Honoured to announce that the Dadasaheb Phalke Selection Jury has decided to award legendary actor, Sh. Mithun Chakraborty Ji for his iconic contribution to Indian Cinema," the minister said in the post.
The award will be presented to Chakraborty at the 70th National Film Awards ceremony on October 8, 2024, Vaishnaw said.
Chakraborty, 74, made his acting debut with Mrinal Sen's 1976 film "Mrigayaa", for which he won the National Film Award for Best Actor. He is also known for films such as Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki and Commando.
10:22 Tigress seen near human settlements tranquillized
A tigress identified as T-83 was caged and tranquillized by forest officials in the Chichpalli forest range of Chandrapur district on Saturday. The operation was conducted due to the increasing movements of the tigress in human residential settlements.
The tigress was observed roaming near the protected areas. The tranquillization process took place in compartment no. 717, located in the Janala area. Forest Range Officer Priyanka Velme coordinated the operation with a team of sharp shooters and wildlife experts to ensure the safety of both the animal and local residents. The decision to tranquillize was undertaken after the tigress posed threat to local residents.
The tigress' entry to residential areas was serious and could lead to potential danger to local residents. Therefore, a careful assessment was meticulously planned to minimise stress on the animal and to avoid any harm to the public. The authorities reached the site early in the morning to carry out the operation to cage the tigress.
10:04 Ashneer Grover won't be associated with BharatPe
BharatPe arrived at a definitive agreement with the company's former co-founder Ashneer Grover. Bringing an end to years of dispute between the two, a settlement was arrived at as per which Ashneer Grover will not be associated with BharatPe in any capacity nor be a part of the shareholding of the company.
BharatPe former founder Ashneer Grover shares this on X: "I have reached a decisive settlement with BharatPe. I repose my faith in the management and board, who are doing great work in taking BharatPe forward in the right direction. I continue to remain aligned with the company's growth and success. I will no longer be associated with BharatPe in any capacity, nor be part of the capital table. My remaining shares will be managed by my Family Trust. Both parties have decided not to pursue cases filed. I hope BharatPe continues to grow and succeed for the benefit of all its stakeholders.
Peace!"
09:57 Nepal floods: 200 people dead, 30 missing
The death toll from rain-induced floods and landslides across Nepal reached nearly 200 on Monday, with at least 30 people still missing, according to the police.
Incessant rainfall from last Friday triggered floods and landslides, wreaking havoc in the Himalayan nation. At least 192 people have been killed in the continuous rainfall, floods, landslides and inundation, officials from the Nepal Police said.
They said 94 others have also been injured nationwide in the disaster, while 30 others remain missing. The government has given high priority to search, rescue, and relief operations, MyRepublica news portal reported, quoting Home Ministry Spokesperson Rishiram Tiwari.
Security agencies across the country have been deployed for search, rescue and relief efforts, and more than 4,500 disaster-affected individuals have been rescued so far, the report said.
While those injured are receiving free treatment, food and other emergency relief materials have been provided to others affected by the floods.
09:41 What did Sunita Williams tell astronaut rescuers?
After months of uncertainty, NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, travelling in the SpaceX Dragon capsule, successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday to bring back Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who had been stuck there since June 2024.
As they stepped aboard, they were greeted by the Expedition 72 crew, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore. SpaceX launched the rescue mission on Saturday that will bring them home next year.
Hague and Gorbunov entered the ISS after opening the hatch between the space station and the pressurised mating adapter at 7:04 p.m. EDT before opening the hatch to Dragon, NASA said in a statement.Hague and Gorbunov were welcomed by the space station's Expedition 72 crew, including NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps, Don Petitt, Butch Wilmore, and Sunita Williams, as well as Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexander Grebenkin, Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner.
Sunita Williams welcomed the two men aboard, with the crew all smiles at the prospect of a rescue.
In a post on X, NASA's Johnson Space Center wrote, "The official welcome! The Expedition 72 crew welcomed Crew 9, NASA astronauts Nick Hague, the Crew 9 commander and cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, the Crew 9 mission specialist, after their flight aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft."
09:17 Minor girl sexually assaulted, accused house set ablaze
A 20-year-old man allegedly sexually assaulted a minor girl in the Siddipet district of Telangana, following which his house was vandalised and set on fire by the victim's family along with some villagers on Sunday.
The incident took place under the Komuravelli police station.
The accused, identified as Sharfuddin, was later taken into custody by the police and a case was registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the police said.
Additionally, cases were filed against individuals for creating vandalism, which created a law and order issue in the area.
"Today, we registered a POCSO case against Sharfuddin (20) and sent him to judicial remand. Following the incident, some individuals created a law and order issue, and we have subsequently registered a separate case against them," the police said. -- ANI
09:01 Maharashtra losing all projects to Gujarat: Uddhav
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has slammed Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, alleging that since he became Chief Minister, many industrial projects from the state have gone to Gujarat.
"When I was the Chief Minister, did you hear even a single news that any project from here went to Gujarat? In the last two and a half years, since this Mindhe (Shinde) became Chief Minister, so many industries have gone to Gujarat. Everything is being taken to Gujarat. Mumbai's economic centre has also been taken to Gujarat. We are not just fighting for power, but our fight is against the looting of Maharashtra," Thackeray said in Ramtek, where he unveiled the statue of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
He alleged that in past two years Maharashtra failed to bag projects and industries it should have to neighbouring Gujarat.
Notably, Vedanta-Foxconn had inked a pact with Gujarat in September 2022 for a Rs 1.54 lakh crore semiconductor project in Ahmedabad Thackeray also accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of wanting to "finish" him and NCP leader Sharad Pawar.
"Mohan Bhagwatji (RSS chief), do you agree with the BJP's Hindutva? Goons are coming into this BJP, corrupt people are coming. Do you agree with this? Amit Shah is coming to finish me and Sharad Pawar, will you let us be finished? Only my people can finish me, not Amit Shah. If my people tell me to sit at home, I will sit at home, but if someone from Delhi tells me to sit at home, my people will make them sit at home. After our government came to power, I will stop the loot going on in Maharashtra," he said.
Thackeray also slammed Chief Minister Eknath Shinde over the collapse of the Shivaji statue at the Malvan fort in Sindhudurg and termed it an embarrassment for the state.
A 35-foot-tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg district collapsed on August 26. It was unveiled on December 4 last year as part of Navy Day celebrations and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. -- ANI
Representative image
08:24 Girl killed after car's airbag opens during accident
A two-year-old girl was killed due to suffocation after an airbag opened in the car she travelled in met with an accident in Kerala's Malappuram district, police said on Sunday.
The mishap happened on Friday evening when the child was travelling along with her family members through Kottakkal-Padaparambu area, they said.
"The car collided with a tanker lorry and the airbag deployed suddenly under the impact of the collision," police said.
The child, sitting on the lap of her mother on the front seat, got suffocated due to the airbag deployment as her face pressed on to it.
The other four passengers, including the mother, escaped with minor injuries, police added. -- PTI
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