Bihar

Patna: Bihar’s Kishanganj district is unique in the state for its striking demographic imbalance. With a Muslim population of around 70%, Hindus are now a minority, making it the only district in Bihar with such a composition. This demographic shift has shaped the political landscape of the district for decades. A History of Hindu RepresentationBefore 1969, Kishanganj had elected Hindu representatives without any issue of communal polarization. The first MLA of Kishanganj, Rawatmal Agrawal, won the 1952 election defeating independent candidate Abdul Hayat. In 1967, Sushila Kapoor of the Praja Socialist Party defeated independent K. Rahman by over 11,000 votes, receiving 16,207 votes to Rahman’s 4,594. This reflected a time when voter preference was based on leadership rather than religi...

Ara/Delhi: In a high-profile cybercrime case, Bihar’s Bhojpur police have arrested the mastermind behind a ₹19 lakh scam carried out through a ‘digital arrest’ scheme. The accused, Upendra Singh, was apprehended in Delhi’s Model Town area after duping a local doctor by impersonating an ATS officer. Authorities revealed that Singh has links to Rajasthan. How the Scam Unfolded On June 26, 2025, Dr. Ram Niwas of Ara Sadar Hospital received a phone call from Singh, who claimed to be an officer from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). Singh told Dr. Niwas that a terrorist had been caught with his Aadhaar and mobile details, and that a Pune court had issued an arrest warrant against him. To avoid arrest, the doctor was coerced into transferring ₹19 lakh to bank accounts controlled by the cyber...

Patna: In a deeply concerning development for public health in Bihar, the number of people living with HIV in the state has crossed the one-lakh mark. The disclosure was made by Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey during a session of the Bihar Legislative Council on Tuesday. Responding to a calling-attention motion raised by Dr. Rajvardhan Azad and other members, the minister informed the House that 1,00,044 individuals in the state have tested HIV positive so far. The revelation has triggered serious concerns about the rising spread of the infection and the preparedness of the healthcare system. AIDS Issue Echoes in the House Nine members of the Legislative Council raised the matter, expressing alarm over the growing number of infections and seeking clarity on preventive and trea...

Patna: A pall of grief has descended over Kurji in Patna following the tragic air ambulance crash in Jharkhand’s Chatra district that claimed seven lives. Among the victims was 24-year-old paramedical staff member Sachin Kumar Mishra, whose life story was marked by early hardship and relentless struggle. Originally a resident of Telkathu village under Hussain Ganj police station in Siwan district, Sachin’s family had been living in a rented house in Kurji, Patna, for the past 15 years. The ill-fated air ambulance was en route from Ranchi to Delhi when it crashed, killing all seven people on board. Lost His Father in Childhood Sachin lost his father, Jitendra Mishra, at a very young age. After the tragedy, the family shifted to Patna. His elder brother, Vineet Mishra, a priest by p...

Patna, February 24, 2026: The upcoming Bihar Rajya Sabha elections for five seats have triggered intense maneuvering within the NDA. While Chirag Paswan has ruled out any family nominations, former Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has staked his claim, reminding the leadership of a past promise of one Rajya Sabha seat. Meanwhile, Upendra Kushwaha is also keeping a close watch on Delhi’s decision. Battle for the Fifth Seat The BJP and JDU have two seats each virtually secured. The contest revolves around the fifth seat, where the NDA requires support from three legislators, while the Mahagathbandhan would need six. Legislators from AIMIM (5) and BSP (1) hold the kingmaker position in this scenario. With Chirag ruling out a family nomination, both Manjhi and Kushwaha have actively put f...

Ara, Bihar, February 24, 2026: In a major breakthrough in the high-profile Ara Tanishq robbery case, Bihar Police have arrested the main accused, Suraj Tiwari, from Saran (Chhapra). Authorities have already apprehended 24 suspects in the case, while a few accomplices remain at large. Suraj Tiwari Arrested After 11 Months on the Run Suraj Tiwari, a resident of Shaktinagar, Balidas Math, Hajipur, had been on the police radar for months. A police notice had even been issued at his residence on February 17, 2026, warning him to surrender. Acting on technical surveillance, a special police team carried out a raid in Saran, successfully apprehending Tiwari. The police plan to take him on remand for questioning to recover the stolen gold and track other fugitive accomplices. Details of t...

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...

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, ...

Patna, Bihar: The Bihar government has announced plans to prohibit the sale of meat and fish near schools, colleges, and religious sites across the state. The decision, aimed at safeguarding public health and fostering a safe environment for children, was unveiled by Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha. Under the new directive, open-air stalls selling chicken, mutton, or fish will no longer be allowed near temples, mosques, and educational institutions. The Nitish Kumar-led administration has made it clear that the ban applies to all vendors, including those with valid licenses. Any shop falling within the restricted zone will be required to relocate. Focus on Health, Children, and Social HarmonyDeputy CM Sinha emphasized that unsanitary meat sales pose significant health risks. ...