DELHI (national capital territory)

New Delhi: Sunday marked one of the most polluted days of the year in Delhi, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to 448 by 2 PM. Dense smog shrouded the city, causing severe discomfort for residents. Meteorologists predict some improvement on Monday, though levels may still remain in the “very poor” category. Rapid Rise in Pollution LevelsPollution levels had already begun rising sharply on Saturday. The AQI was 400 at 4 PM, jumped to 431 by 9 PM, and reached 437 by 7 AM on Sunday. By 2 PM, the AQI peaked at 448, while the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported the city’s average AQI at 440. Surrounding areas recorded alarming levels as well: Faridabad – 247, Ghaziabad – 458, Greater Noida – 402, Gurugram – 378, and Noida – 430. Emergency Declared Across Multiple AreasT...

New Delhi: In a shocking incident in East Delhi’s Nirman Vihar area, thieves stole a silver “patra” weighing over 6.5 kg, valued at approximately ₹25 lakh, from the Sanatan Temple last night. The sacred item, placed on the Shiva Lingam, was taken after one of the culprits performed a ritual bow (charan sparsh) in front of it, CCTV footage reveals. Breaking into the TempleAccording to temple priest Dinesh Shastri, the thieves broke the locks of both the main gate and the inner gate where the Shiva Lingam is installed. “I lock the gates and sleep inside the temple premises. This morning I discovered that the silver patra had vanished from the Shiva Lingam,” Shastri told reporters. CCTV Footage Reveals the CrimeCCTV recordings show two men entering the temple wearing slippers. One of th...

New Delhi: Cybercriminals in Delhi are increasingly exploiting WhatsApp hacking and call forwarding techniques to defraud unsuspecting victims. In a recent case from South-East Delhi, a school teacher lost nearly ₹7 lakh after her WhatsApp account was compromised. The South-East District Cyber Police have registered a case and launched an investigation. Incident Involving a TeacherThe 52-year-old victim, residing in Jamia Nagar, works as a teacher at an MCD school. Between July and August 2025, hackers gained access to her WhatsApp account, replacing her profile picture with a tractor image and sending suspicious links regarding fake bills to her contacts. When the victim attempted to regain access, she contacted WhatsApp support, which restored her account, citing a technical glitch. ...

New Delhi: In a major blow to international drug trafficking, the Delhi Police Special Cell has arrested a key accused, Tilak, linked to a massive drug syndicate worth ₹13,000 crore. The arrest was made in Sikkim, where Tilak was hiding. According to officials, Tilak played an active role in the syndicate, importing cannabis from Thailand and distributing it across various parts of India. Authorities believe his apprehension could reveal critical insights into the network’s international operations. Police Question Accused for Further LeadsThe Special Cell is currently interrogating Tilak to gather further information about the syndicate. Previously, on October 2, 2024, the Delhi Police conducted a major joint operation across Delhi, Gujarat, and Punjab, seizing cocaine and cannabis ...

New Delhi: In yet another incident of street crime in the national capital, a 70-year-old woman was robbed of her gold chain in Pandav Nagar, East Delhi. Two young men on a scooter allegedly snatched the chain from the victim’s neck and fled the scene. The Pandav Nagar police have registered a case, but the culprits are yet to be traced. Victim Identified as Resident of Mayur ViharThe victim, Prem Kumar, a resident of Mayur Vihar Phase-1, was returning home on Saturday afternoon around 3:30 PM after a walk with her husband Rama Nand. As they reached Acharya Niketan Market near Kukreja Hospital, two men on a scooter approached and forcefully snatched a seven-gram gold chain from her neck, which had a “PK” locket attached. The assailants then fled toward Amrit Chand Chowk Rail Light. S...

Delhi’s roads have become increasingly unsafe for pedestrians, with 2,192 road accidents claiming 649 lives in 2025. Among these fatalities, collisions involving unidentified vehicles caused the highest number of deaths, followed by private cars and two-wheelers. In addition to the fatalities, 1,738 people were injured in road accidents across the city last year. Pedestrian deaths due to unidentified vehicles numbered 330, with 498 sustaining injuries. Private cars were responsible for 477 accidents, resulting in 92 deaths and 448 injuries. Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic) Satyveer Katara stated that the Delhi Traffic Police is observing the National Road Safety Month from January 1 to January 31, 2026. The month-long campaign aims to promote road discipline, raise awareness ...

New Delhi: The Najafgarh drain, one of the biggest sources of pollution in the Yamuna River, is set to be cleaned with the help of advanced technology from Finland. Officials say that once the drain is fully cleared, about 60–70% of the river’s pollution could be eliminated. The 57-kilometre-long Najafgarh drain has been carrying untreated wastewater into the Yamuna for years, severely affecting water quality. To address this, the Delhi Irrigation and Flood Control Department deployed an amphibious water dredger imported from Finland on Friday. The machine was inaugurated by Delhi’s Irrigation and Flood Control Minister, Parvesh Sahib Singh. The dredger costs approximately ₹8.03 crore. In addition, automatic hopper barges have been brought in to remove the sludge, costing another ₹5.25 ...

A massive scam worth ₹30 crore has come to light in the Delhi Municipal Corporation’s (MCD) Health Department. Non-essential items were purchased under the guise of “Primary Health Care,” and the purchases were made at nearly three times the prevailing market rates. Following a complaint, the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has ordered an investigation. Preliminary inquiries have confirmed the allegations, and the matter has now been handed over to the Vigilance Department for a detailed probe. Overpriced and Unnecessary PurchasesNew Delhi: The MCD Health Department procured items that were not required in dispensaries, paying nearly three times the market rate. According to sources, corrupt officials in the Health Department manipulated the procurement process, causing a loss of ₹30...

Delhi Police is on the verge of major reshuffles at the senior level. With Additional CP Nidhin Wolson of the Central District going on medical leave, Anant Mittal has been given the charge of the district in an acting capacity. Rumors of changes at the Special CP and Joint CP levels are also making rounds. Several IPS and DANIPS officers are now eyeing key district commands. Awaiting Transfer OrdersNew Delhi: Orders for the impending senior-level reshuffle in Delhi Police have not yet been released, keeping IPS and DANIPS officers on tenterhooks. Many officers have already prepared for transfers, but the final posting list is yet to be announced. Additional CP Nidhin Wolson, who currently heads the Central District, has gone on leave for medical treatment. Consequently, the Police C...