Bihar

Patna: The Patna High Court has directed the Bihar government to complete the process of upgrading the state’s prison laws in line with the Central Model Prison Manual within a period of nine months. The order was passed while disposing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking comprehensive prison reforms in the state. The directive was issued by a Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sudhir Singh and Justice Rajesh Kumar Verma. A copy of the order was made public on Wednesday. Court Orders Alignment with Model Prison Manual The PIL, filed by advocate Abhinav Shandilya, urged the High Court to direct the state authorities to adopt the Model Prison Manual, 2016, prepared by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. The petitioner argued that the manual serves as a uniform ...

Patna: Bihar Revenue and Land Reforms Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha has issued a stern warning to corrupt officials, sand mafias, and land mafias, stating that the government is systematically tackling malpractice in the department. Speaking on Wednesday, the minister used a metaphor, saying that the “dose” to cure the “disease” of corruption is being administered gradually to avoid adverse reactions, but assured that no one will escape action. “Curing the Disease Slowly”“Miracles don’t happen overnight. This is a disease, and we are administering the dose slowly. Giving too much at once could cause reactions or unintended consequences. Step by step, we aim to cure this disease. I am confident that by 31 March, Bihar will have a healthy and positive environment, and every Bihari will feel ...

Patna: Bihar is taking a major leap to nurture sports talent from its villages, aiming to produce players like Sachin Tendulkar, Sania Mirza, and Milkha Singh. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has launched an ambitious plan to construct modern sports grounds at the panchayat level, ensuring that aspiring rural athletes no longer need to leave their villages for quality training. Empowering Rural TalentAccording to officials from the Sports Department, the initiative is designed to identify and develop hidden sporting talent in rural areas, giving every village a platform to produce outstanding athletes. Over the past two years, 4,807 sports grounds have been built across the state—exceeding the initial target of 4,716 gram panchayats. In several panchayats, multiple grounds have been constru...

Motihari, Bihar: The Bihar government has announced plans to develop Sita Kund Dham in Motihari, a historic site where Lord Ram and Mata Sita are believed to have rested after their wedding. The development aims to enhance tourism and provide better facilities for pilgrims, following the model of Punaura Dham, the birthplace of Mata Janaki. Sita Kund Dham is located in Bediwan Madhuban Panchayat, under the Pipra police station area of East Champaran district. Recognizing its historical and cultural significance, the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) began work on the site last September, with a target for completion by December this year. Planned Development Work According to BSTDC General Manager Chandan Chauhan, the ₹15-crore project includes: Construction ...

Nawada, Bihar: A Bangladeshi illegal entrant, who had been evading police for the past eight months, has been arrested in Bihar for allegedly luring a minor girl through social media. The case, authorities say, reads like a script from a thriller movie. The accused, identified as Zaheerul Islam, reportedly entered India via Assam and created a fake Instagram ID to contact a 14-year-old girl from Pali village in the Kauakol police station area. Gradually, he trapped the girl in his so-called “love web” and then absconded with her to Assam, near the India-Bangladesh border in Nagaon district. Police were able to rescue the girl on 15 October 2025 from a makeshift house near the border in Assam. After her safe return to her family and recording her statement in court, the search for Zah...

In a historic move, Bihar has become the first state in India to impose a ban on wearing hijabs, niqabs, veils, or helmets inside jewelry shops. This decision, aimed at enhancing security, was taken by the All India Jewelers and Gold Federation (AIJGF) and will come into effect across the state on January 8, 2026. Ban on Covered Faces in Jewelry Stores The new rule prohibits anyone from entering jewelry shops in Bihar with their faces covered. This includes individuals wearing hijabs, niqabs, veils, or helmets. Ashok Kumar Verma, the President of AIJGF Bihar, confirmed the decision and clarified that it is not directed against any religion, tradition, or personal belief. He emphasized that the move was strictly taken with security concerns in mind. As per the new rule, any customer a...

Alok Raj, the former DGP of Bihar and a well-known IPS officer, has always been recognized for his unwavering commitment to duty and his ability to stand firm against powerful political forces. His courage and resolve are exemplified by an incident from 2008, during the infamous Nandigram conflict, where he fought for the rule of law in the face of significant opposition from both the ruling government and local police. Alok Raj’s Stand in Nandigram: A Bold Act of Integrity In 2008, Alok Raj was serving as the DIG of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and was stationed in Nandigram, West Bengal, during the Panchayat elections. This was a volatile region, where, for over a year, protests against land acquisition had been intensifying. The region was under the rule of the Left Fro...