SD NEWS agency

IAS Sandip Sagale Appointed as New Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat

24Feb

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Gujarat, Politics, State

IAS Sandip Sagale Appointed as New Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat

Ahmedabad: Ahead of the upcoming municipal elections in Gujarat’s major cities, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has appointed a new Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) for the state. The post has been entrusted to Sandip Sagale, a 2007-batch IAS officer known for his clean image and efficient administrative record. Sagale takes over from IAS Harit Shukla, a 1999-batch officer who oversaw the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in Gujarat. Shukla’s tenure concluded after successfully completing this crucial exercise. Prior to his new appointment, Sagale was serving as the Director General of the Sports Authority of Gujarat. Who is Sandip Sagale? Born on 16 November 1973 in Maharashtra, Sandip Sagale hails from Akola Tehsil in Akola district. A Gujarat cadre IAS offi...

Patna University Student Union Polls: Final List for President, Vice-President Released; Voting on February 28

24Feb

By sd newsNo Comments

Bihar, State

Patna University Student Union Polls: Final List for President, Vice-President Released; Voting on February 28

Patna: The election bugle has sounded at Patna University, often dubbed the “mini Assembly” of Bihar politics, as the final list of candidates for the 2025–26 Student Union elections has been officially released. Following scrutiny of nomination papers and withdrawal of candidatures, the Chief Election Officer announced the names contesting for key posts, including President, Vice-President, General Secretary, and Joint Secretary. The university administration has made it clear that polling will be conducted as scheduled and that any form of violence or indiscipline will invite strict action, including cancellation of candidature. Tight Contest for Top Posts According to the official list, 11 candidates are in the fray for the post of President. Prominent names include Abhishek Ku...

Firing at Baretha Toll Plaza in Gwalior: ‘Build the Highway or Remove the Toll,’ Note Left by Helmeted Gunman

24Feb

By sd newsNo Comments

Madhya Pradesh, State

Firing at Baretha Toll Plaza in Gwalior: ‘Build the Highway or Remove the Toll,’ Note Left by Helmeted Gunman

Gwalior: Panic gripped commuters and toll staff on Monday evening after two motorcycle-borne युवकों opened fire at the Baretha Toll Plaza on National Highway 719 under the Maharajpura police station limits in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. According to eyewitnesses, the accused arrived from the Bhind side on a motorcycle. One of them was wearing a helmet to conceal his identity. He approached Booth No. 7, where supervisor Rohit Kumar was on duty, and handed him a handwritten note, asking that it be delivered to the manager. Gunfire After Delivering the Note Before the staff could comprehend the situation, the helmeted युवक allegedly pulled out a pistol and began firing indiscriminately. Four to five rounds were reportedly fired within seconds, triggering chaos across the toll premises. ...

Divorce Case of Bhojpuri Star Pawan Singh and Jyoti Singh Up for Crucial Hearing Today in Patna

24Feb

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Bihar, State

Divorce Case of Bhojpuri Star Pawan Singh and Jyoti Singh Up for Crucial Hearing Today in Patna

Patna: The ongoing divorce proceedings between Bhojpuri film industry’s “Power Star” Pawan Singh and his wife Jyoti Singh will come up for a significant hearing today, February 24, at the Family Court (Civil Court) in Patna. The hearing is being closely watched, as the court is expected to make a final attempt at reconciliation by bringing both parties face-to-face. Legal observers believe today’s proceedings could prove decisive in determining whether the couple’s marriage can be salvaged or whether the case will move decisively toward separation. Previous Hearing Marked by Absence During the previous hearing on February 11, Jyoti Singh appeared in court dressed in a traditional sari with sindoor in her hair — a gesture that drew widespread attention on social media. However, ...

BJP Hits Back at Akhilesh Yadav Over ‘100 MLAs’ Offer, Says “Save Your Own Legislators First”

24Feb

By sd newsNo Comments

Politics, State, Uttar Pradesh

BJP Hits Back at Akhilesh Yadav Over ‘100 MLAs’ Offer, Says “Save Your Own Legislators First”

Lucknow: A fresh political war of words has erupted in Uttar Pradesh after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav offered a provocative challenge to the ruling BJP, inviting either of the state’s Deputy Chief Ministers to bring 100 MLAs and claim the Chief Minister’s post — even if only for a week. Speaking at the party office in Lucknow, Yadav said, “We repeat our offer — bring 100 MLAs and become Chief Minister. Whoever brings 100 legislators will be made Chief Minister for one week.” The remark came while Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is on an overseas visit to Japan and Singapore, adding political undertones to the timing of the statement. The comment quickly triggered sharp reactions from the BJP leadership. Keshav Maurya’s Counterattack Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad ...

Class 12 Student Kidnapped from Classroom in Barmer, Brutally Assaulted; Nails Torn Out, Teeth Broken

24Feb

By sd newsNo Comments

Rajasthan, State

Class 12 Student Kidnapped from Classroom in Barmer, Brutally Assaulted; Nails Torn Out, Teeth Broken

Barmer: In a shocking daylight crime that has sent tremors across Rajasthan, a Class 12 student was allegedly kidnapped from his classroom just minutes before his board examination and subjected to brutal torture in Barmer district. The incident occurred in Jaisar village on Monday morning at a government senior secondary school, moments before the Political Science board exam was scheduled to begin at 8:30 am. According to eyewitnesses, at around 8:05 am, four men arrived in a camper vehicle, stormed into the school campus, and forcibly entered the classroom. Dragged 100 Metres from Classroom The accused allegedly grabbed the student in front of teachers and classmates. When staff members attempted to intervene, they were threatened with dire consequences. The assailants reported...

Family Trapped in Faulty Lift for 30 Minutes in Greater Noida West, Residents Stage Protest

24Feb

By sd newsNo Comments

State, Uttar Pradesh

Family Trapped in Faulty Lift for 30 Minutes in Greater Noida West, Residents Stage Protest

Greater Noida: Panic gripped residents of Greater Noida West on Sunday after four members of a family were trapped inside a malfunctioning lift for nearly 30 minutes at the Amrapali Golf Homes and Kingswood Society. The incident triggered outrage among residents, who staged protests against the Apartment Owners’ Association (AOA) and the society management. According to residents, the lift stopped abruptly while descending from the ground floor to the basement parking in Tower L-9. Inside were an elderly woman, a nine-year-old child, a woman, and another family member. The lift doors failed to open, and repeated attempts to press the emergency alarm and buttons reportedly yielded no immediate response. Family members alleged that the lift’s ventilation system was not functioning and ...

Chatra Air Ambulance Crash: Engine Failure, Heavy Medical Load or Severe Weather? Six Possible Causes Under Scanner

24Feb

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Nation

Chatra Air Ambulance Crash: Engine Failure, Heavy Medical Load or Severe Weather? Six Possible Causes Under Scanner

A Ranchi–Delhi air ambulance flight turned into a tragedy on Monday night when it crashed in the forests of Simaria in Jharkhand’s Chatra district, killing all seven people on board, including a critically injured patient. The aircraft had taken off from Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi at 7:11 pm and reportedly lost contact with Kolkata Air Traffic Control at 7:34 pm, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). It was being operated by Delhi-based Redbird Airways and was identified as a Beechcraft C90 aircraft. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a formal investigation, with a team already at the crash site. The Victims The patient, identified as Sanjay Kumar, had reportedly suffered nearly 65% burn injuries in an accident and was bei...

PM Modi’s Israel Visit Set to Reshape Regional Equations; Pakistan and Turkey Likely to Feel the Heat

24Feb

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Nation

PM Modi’s Israel Visit Set to Reshape Regional Equations; Pakistan and Turkey Likely to Feel the Heat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Israel at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions in West Asia, including the looming threat of a possible U.S. strike on Iran. The visit, however, carries significance far beyond bilateral ties. Analysts believe it could contribute to a new regional strategic balance — one that may leave Pakistan and its close partner Turkey increasingly uneasy. Likely Renewal of India–Israel Security Pact During the visit, India and Israel are expected to renew and deepen their security cooperation framework. According to reports, negotiations to extend the bilateral security pact are in advanced stages and could be finalized during the Prime Minister’s trip. India and Israel share a robust partnership in counter-terrorism, defense technology, inte...

Youth Congress President Uday Bhanu Chib Arrested in AI Summit Shirtless Protest Case

24Feb

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Nation

Youth Congress President Uday Bhanu Chib Arrested in AI Summit Shirtless Protest Case

In a significant development, the Delhi Police has arrested Uday Bhanu Chib, National President of the Indian Youth Congress, in connection with a shirtless protest staged during the India-AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam. According to sources, Chib has been taken into custody and is currently being held at Tilak Marg Police Station. Security has been tightened outside the police station, with personnel from both Delhi Police and the CRPF deployed at the entrance. No Official Statement Yet While Delhi Police has not issued an official statement regarding the charges, the arrest has triggered sharp political reactions. Several Congress leaders and party workers have criticized the action on social media, alleging suppression of democratic dissent. Senior Congress leader Bhupe...