Madhya Pradesh

Gwalior: The Gwalior Crime Branch has arrested Himachal Sharma, a cunning fraudster involved in multi-crore vehicle scams, from Jaipur. Sharma allegedly impersonated a police officer to deceive 42 victims, seizing their expensive vehicles, including SUVs, tractors, dumpers, and trucks. He has now been sent to judicial custody following a court appearance. Impersonating a Police Subedar Himachal Sharma, a resident of Patel Nagar City Centre, had previously been caught posing as a fake subedar. In his latest scam, he dressed as a police sub-inspector to gain the trust of tour and travel operators. He rented high-value vehicles on the pretext of services and later removed their GPS devices to cover his tracks. When owners asked for vehicle return or service, Sharma refused and eventuall...

Chhindwara, February 17, 2026: During the concluding session of the ‘Hindu Garjana Rally’ held to mark the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Telangana MLA T. Raja Singh made controversial remarks targeting Hyderabad leaders Asaduddin and Akbaruddin Owaisi. Singh referred to the Owaisi brothers using objectionable language and criticized their alleged statements regarding Tipu Sultan, branding them as anti-Hindu and accusing them of misrepresenting history. Addressing the crowd, Singh called for vigilance among youth to protect the nation, religion, and culture. He spoke against ‘Love Jihad’ and religious conversions, urging supporters to pledge to safeguard their families, faith, and country. He reiterated the demand for a ‘Jihad-free Madhya Pradesh’ and praised the stat...

Bhopal: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken a firm stand to protect the city’s pride, the Bhoj Wetland, emphasizing that its primary mandate is environmental protection—not resolving land ownership disputes. NGT Hearing on Bhadbhada Encroachments During a hearing on encroachments near the Bhadbhada area along the Upper Lake, the NGT’s Bhopal bench clarified that the Tribunal’s responsibility is to address environmental concerns, not decide on property rights or ownership claims. The remarks came after Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) lawyer Gunjan Choksi submitted an Action Taken Report (ATR) regarding the removal of encroachments. Encroachment Removal Hampered by Local Opposition The ATR stated that out of 35 encroachments, 9 had been removed. However, actions on the...

Mandla, Madhya Pradesh: A male leopard found injured in the Sarhi range of Kanha Tiger Reserve died while being transported for treatment. The animal was discovered near Anikat Nala on Saturday in a critically injured state. Despite efforts by the Forest Department and wildlife experts from Jabalpur, the leopard succumbed before reaching Mukki Hospital. Rescue Efforts and Immediate Treatment The leopard was located near Daladala Beat Block No. 729, Anikat Nala (Bendiware Daladala Forest Route). The patrolling team immediately alerted senior officials. Veterinary specialists from the Wildlife and Forensic School, Jabalpur, and local forest staff arrived promptly and administered on-site treatment. Given the severity of its injuries, the leopard was being shifted to Mukki Hospital in a...

Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh: The grand Mahashivratri celebrations at the world-famous Mahakaleshwar Temple culminated today with the unique “Sehra Darshan” of Lord Mahakal. On 16 February, the deity was adorned as a groom, wearing a floral crown (Sehra) in a ceremony that occurs just once a year. The day-time Bharmarti began at 12 noon and continued until 2 PM. Elaborate Rituals at Mahakaleshwar Temple The celebrations began in the morning with Rudrabhishek performed by eleven Brahmins, accompanied by Vedic chants. Lord Mahakal was bathed in five types of fruit juices followed by Panchamrit Abhishek, a ritual involving a mixture of milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar, Ganga water, rose water, bhang, and saffron. The deity was then dressed in new clothes and adorned with a mask made of the seve...

Bhopal, February 16, 2026: Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS officer Avi Prasad has made headlines with his third marriage to Deputy Secretary Ankita Dhakre. His previous two marriages were with fellow IAS officers, both of whom are currently serving as district collectors in Madhya Pradesh. First Marriage: Riju Bafna Avi Prasad, a 2014-batch IAS officer, first married Riju Bafna, also a 2014-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre. The couple reportedly met while preparing for the UPSC examination. Riju Bafna is presently serving as the Collector of Shajapur district. Known for her strict administrative style, she has previously been involved in high-profile administrative matters, including allegations against officials and disputes during her tenure as SDM of Nagda. The marriage, how...

Indore, February 16, 2026: A decisive day dawns for the future of the historic Bhojshala in Dhar, as the 98-day scientific survey conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is set to be made public for the first time. The hearing will take place at the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, presided over by a division bench comprising Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi, following strict directions from the Supreme Court. Supreme Court Orders Oversight The case is being heard under the guidance of a division bench that includes either the Chief Justice or the senior-most judges, as per the Supreme Court’s directive in the matter of Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society vs. Hindu Front for Justice. This step underscores the sensitivity and historical im...

Barwani, Madhya Pradesh: In the tribal regions of western Madhya Pradesh, a centuries-old tradition called ‘Dhas’ continues to demonstrate the spirit of collective labor and selfless service. Under this practice, villagers come together to assist in tasks such as house construction or crop harvesting without expecting any payment. Recently, in Kamod village, residents completed work that would normally take ten days in a single day. The tradition is prevalent among the Barela, Bhil, and Bhilala communities, symbolizing cooperation and community bonding. In Kamod, villagers united to construct the roof of Bull Singh Arya’s house, preparing the bamboo framework and laying tiles in a single day. Normally, digging the foundation, erecting wooden pillars, and completing the roofing would tak...

Indore: In a heartwarming turn of events this Valentine’s Day, a couple on the verge of divorce in Indore reconciled, thanks to the timely intervention of a family court judge. The doctor-husband and engineer-wife, who had filed for separation, exchanged roses in court and decided to continue their life together. The incident occurred in the Indore Family Court, where both parties appeared on February 14 for the hearing of their divorce petition. The husband had alleged physical and mental harassment, as well as emotional distress, in his plea. Upon hearing both sides, Justice R.K. Jain noted that reconciliation was possible and engaged the couple in a compassionate, psychologically informed counseling session. During the session, the judge emphasized the value of life, urging them t...

Jabalpur: In a significant ruling under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has held that if reliable documentary evidence is available to establish the age of a rape survivor, there is no need to conduct an ossification test to determine her age. A Division Bench comprising Justice Vivek Agrawal and Justice Ratnesh Chandra Singh Bisen dismissed an appeal filed by a convict who had been found guilty of raping a minor girl and sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the POCSO Act. Defence Plea Rejected The defence argued that the prosecution’s case was weakened because a doctor had advised a bone age test, but the investigating agency failed to conduct it. The convict claimed that th...