Tuesday, December 23

DELHI (national capital territory)

Delhi Government Introduces ‘Aadhaar Vault’ to Secure Citizens’ Personal Data
DELHI (national capital territory), State

Delhi Government Introduces ‘Aadhaar Vault’ to Secure Citizens’ Personal Data

New Delhi: In a major step to protect citizens’ personal information, the Delhi government is set to introduce an “Aadhaar Vault” to safeguard data shared while applying for government services. The new system will ensure that Aadhaar numbers and other sensitive personal details remain secure and cannot be leaked. A Strong Measure Against Digital FraudThe Aadhaar Vault will store citizens’ information—including Aadhaar numbers, names, addresses, and photographs—in an encrypted format using unique tokens. Government departments will access the data only in this encrypted form. This initiative is aimed at preventing digital fraud resulting from data leaks. Enhanced Data Privacy and SecurityAccording to senior government officials, the system will ensure that sensitive information of ap...
Fugitive Mehul Choksi Could Be Extradited to India in December; Belgian Court to Deliver Verdict
DELHI (national capital territory), State

Fugitive Mehul Choksi Could Be Extradited to India in December; Belgian Court to Deliver Verdict

New Delhi: The legal process to extradite fugitive diamond businessman Mehul Choksi, accused in the ₹13,000 crore bank fraud, has now entered its decisive phase. Sources reveal that the CBI has identified the officers who will travel to Belgium to bring Choksi to India if his appeal is rejected. Choksi had already been granted extradition to India by the Antwerp Court in Belgium. Challenging this decision, he filed an appeal in the Belgian Supreme Court. The final verdict on this appeal is scheduled for 9 December 2025. The CBI is optimistic that the ruling will favor India, paving the way for his swift return. Both the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs, along with the CBI, have completed all preparations for the extradition process. CBI Prepares for Swift...
Delhi: Paan Shop Owner Stabbed to Death for Refusing Free Cigarette; Main Accused Caught in Encounter
DELHI (national capital territory), State

Delhi: Paan Shop Owner Stabbed to Death for Refusing Free Cigarette; Main Accused Caught in Encounter

New Delhi: A shocking incident in Patel Nagar left a paan shop owner dead after he was stabbed by a 19-year-old over a dispute about a free cigarette. The main accused, Mohammad Mehtab, alias Raja, a resident of Faridpuri, was apprehended by the police within 24 hours following an encounter in which he sustained a gunshot wound to his right leg. Incident DetailsOn the night of 24 November, Rajendra Kumar (40), running a paan shop in Patel Nagar, was attacked with a knife after he refused to provide cigarettes for free. The injured shopkeeper was rushed to RML Hospital but was declared dead by the doctors. Following the murder, Patel Nagar police immediately registered a case and formed a special team under Inspector Naveen Kumar, supervised by ACP Sunil Kumar, to investigate the crime. ...
Delhi Police Engage in Encounter with Murder Accused, Injured During Crossfire
DELHI (national capital territory), State

Delhi Police Engage in Encounter with Murder Accused, Injured During Crossfire

New Delhi: In a dramatic turn of events in West Patel Nagar, Delhi, police engaged in a shootout with murder accused Mehtab on Wednesday morning. According to reports, as the police team approached to apprehend the suspect, Mehtab opened fire, prompting the officers to return fire. In the ensuing crossfire, Mehtab sustained gunshot injuries and was immediately hospitalized. Sources reveal that the Delhi Police team had been conducting a manhunt for Mehtab in connection with a shocking murder that took place on Monday night. A group of assailants reportedly attacked a man with a knife following a dispute over a robbery, resulting in his death. Mehtab’s name surfaced during the investigation, and an FIR was promptly registered. Acting on updated intelligence, police moved in to arrest ...
Delhi Police Seize ₹31 Crore in Property and Cash from 84 Drug Dealers Over 3 Years
DELHI (national capital territory), State

Delhi Police Seize ₹31 Crore in Property and Cash from 84 Drug Dealers Over 3 Years

New Delhi: In a major crackdown under the ‘Drug-Free India’ initiative, Delhi Police have secured freezing orders against 84 narcotics offenders over the past three years, confiscating assets worth ₹31.81 crore, including property, jewelry, and cash. Police officials stated that freezing or seizure actions have been completed against 64 individuals, while proceedings against the remaining 20 are still underway, suggesting the total value could rise further. The operations have been conducted under Section 68 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Targeting Profits Behind Drug TradeAuthorities emphasized that the drug trade is primarily profit-driven, and disrupting its financial base is a crucial part of anti-narcotics enforcement. Under Chapter 5-A of the NDPS...
Delhi Residents Can Access 75 Government Services Nearby for Just ₹30
DELHI (national capital territory), State

Delhi Residents Can Access 75 Government Services Nearby for Just ₹30

New Delhi: The Delhi government is set to roll out e-District services across all areas of the capital through Common Service Centers (CSCs). Residents availing these services will need to pay an additional fee of just ₹30 per application. So far, 68 services from various government departments have been integrated into the system, and the plan is to expand this to a total of 75 services, with testing ongoing for the remaining services. Plan to Expand CSC Services Across the CapitalThe initiative aims to make government services accessible to residents who may not be familiar with digital applications for certificates, government schemes, or other official documents. The new CSC-based system is considered an alternative to the previous government’s doorstep delivery program. How the ...
Volcanic Ash from Ethiopia Has No Impact on Delhi’s AQI; Visibility Remains Clear
DELHI (national capital territory), State

Volcanic Ash from Ethiopia Has No Impact on Delhi’s AQI; Visibility Remains Clear

New Delhi: The ash plume from a volcanic eruption in Ethiopia passed over the Delhi-NCR region on Monday night and continued towards China by Tuesday. Despite crossing over Delhi, the ash, which remained at a very high altitude, had no significant impact on air pollution levels or visibility in the city. Officials noted that the plume’s effects were only noticeable in air traffic at high altitudes. Visibility Improves After Several DaysTuesday witnessed improved visibility in the capital after several days of smog. The smog layer remained thin, and the Air Quality Index (AQI) dropped from 380 to 353. Authorities said that favorable wind conditions near the surface contributed to cleaner air. The volcanic ash remained approximately 14 kilometers (45,000 feet) above Delhi, preventing any ...
Delhi Introduces Hot Air Balloon Rides at Bansera: Price, Timings, and Details
DELHI (national capital territory), State

Delhi Introduces Hot Air Balloon Rides at Bansera: Price, Timings, and Details

New Delhi: Adventure enthusiasts in Delhi can now enjoy hot air balloon rides at the Bansera Bamboo-Themed Park, developed by DDA along the Yamuna river. The rides are set to begin this Saturday, offering aerial views of the city and the river at an altitude of up to 55 meters (150 feet). Cost and DurationEach ride will last between 7 to 12 minutes and will cost ₹3,000 per person, excluding applicable taxes. Both children and adults will be charged the same rate. The rides are scheduled in morning and evening slots, lasting 2–2.5 hours each, and will operate throughout the year, except during adverse weather conditions. Trial by LG VK SaxenaLieutenant Governor VK Saxena tested the ride on Tuesday, accompanied by Captain Rita, confirming the safety and readiness of the experience. Fol...
Delhi Police to Take Gangster Anmol Bishnoi on Remand, Plan Voice Sample Analysis
DELHI (national capital territory), State

Delhi Police to Take Gangster Anmol Bishnoi on Remand, Plan Voice Sample Analysis

New Delhi: Delhi Police are planning to take gangster Anmol Bishnoi, brother of notorious criminal Lawrence Bishnoi, on production remand in connection with extortion and firing cases. Authorities also intend to collect his voice sample for forensic analysis to confirm if he was behind threatening calls. Anmol is currently on remand with the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Background of the CaseAnmol, deported from the United States on 19 November, has been under NIA custody for 11 days. Police revealed that an international number sent threatening voice messages to a resident of Hari Nagar Ashram, Siddharth Enclave, on 23–24 March 2023, demanding a ransom of ₹2 crore in Lawrence Bishnoi’s name. When the money was not paid, two masked men fired five rounds outside the victim’s hous...
Delhi Mother Becomes Lifesaver for 11-Year-Old Son with Kidney Transplant
DELHI (national capital territory), State

Delhi Mother Becomes Lifesaver for 11-Year-Old Son with Kidney Transplant

New Delhi: In a remarkable act of courage and love, an 11-year-old boy from Sultanpur district was saved by his mother at Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi, after being admitted in critical condition with severely slowed breathing. Doctors managed to revive him following a cardiac arrest, revealing the urgent need for a kidney transplant to save his life. This operation marks the hospital’s first pediatric kidney transplant. Life-Saving Procedure Amid Critical ConditionThe child was diagnosed with bilateral hypodysplastic kidneys, a rare and serious kidney disorder. He had been under dialysis care for over a year after being first admitted with the same condition. Recognizing the urgency, his 35-year-old mother made the courageous decision to donate her kidney, giving her son a new lease on li...