State

Aligarh: In a shocking incident in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, a man convicted in a nine-year-old rape case escaped from court before being taken into judicial custody. The Special POCSO Court had just pronounced him guilty when he managed to flee, leaving police officers in the courtroom scrambling. Authorities are now actively searching for the absconding accused. According to reports, Special Judge Pradeep Kumar Ram of POCSO Court No. 2 delivered the verdict on Monday against Jitendra Prasad, who was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl. The court ordered that he be immediately taken into judicial custody. However, before the custody could be executed, Jitendra escaped, creating panic among the court staff and attendees. The case dates back to August 4, 2017, when Ji...

Mathura: A dispute has erupted in Mathura after a contract for installing steel railings in the corridor and courtyard of the world-famous Banke Bihari Temple was awarded to a Muslim contractor. Saints from the Braj region and the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Nyas have strongly objected, urging Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to cancel the contract immediately. Dinesh Falahari Maharaj, head of the Nyas, wrote a letter to the CM expressing outrage. He stated that at this sacred site, where Lord Krishna and Radha enacted the divine Raas Leela and other pastimes, the entry of those perceived as opponents of Sanatan Dharma is unacceptable to the local devotees. Maharaj further claimed, “Allowing individuals who consume beef and consider Hindus as infidels into Banke Bihari’s courtyard ...

Noida, February 2, 2026: In a strict action soon after taking charge, the newly appointed CEO of Noida Authority, Krishna Karunesh, has directed a hefty fine of ₹73.4 lakh on Amrapali Sapphire Society for failing to operate its Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in compliance with environmental norms. An unannounced inspection conducted by the Authority’s Environment Cell revealed that untreated sewage from the society in Sector-45, falling under Sector-39 police jurisdiction, was being discharged directly into drains. The STP was found non-functional and poorly maintained, emitting foul odors and causing environmental pollution. “The society’s repeated negligence in operating the STP violates environmental laws, including the Water Act 1974, Air Act 1981, and Solid Waste Management Rules ...

Lucknow, February 2, 2026: Former Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister and Loktantra Party president, Swami Prasad Maurya, has once again stirred controversy with remarks on the University Grants Commission (UGC) law. In a recent post, Maurya labeled Brahmins as “overly caste-conscious” and claimed that they dominate India’s judiciary from High Courts to the Supreme Court. Maurya’s post reignited debate over the UGC law and its implications. Referring to historical context, he wrote that during British rule, Brahmins were considered caste-biased and were allegedly restricted from entering judicial services under an order from 1919. “Think about it—those Brahmins who were once barred from judicial services now occupy 70-80 percent of positions in the judiciary, including the High Courts and Su...

Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, February 3: In a shocking case that has stirred widespread outrage, police in Ballia district have arrested a 42-year-old man for allegedly abducting and sexually assaulting a minor girl over a period of nearly six months, officials said on Tuesday. According to police reports, the victim, a Class 9 student from Ballia, came into contact with the accused, Rakesh Verma, a resident of Patna district in Bihar, through a mobile phone. Exploiting this contact, Verma allegedly lured the young girl and abducted her, taking her to Valsad in Gujarat, where she was reportedly raped repeatedly over several months. The police were alerted after the girl’s disappearance was reported, leading to an intensive investigation that culminated in Verma’s arrest on Monday. He has s...

Lucknow, February 3: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Tuesday said it would be premature to assess whether the United States’ decision to reduce tariffs on Indian goods is in India’s interest, cautioning that the complete details of the agreement are yet to be made public. Her remarks followed an announcement by US President Donald Trump, who confirmed the deal after a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. The agreement reportedly reduces the reciprocal tariff on Indian goods from a total of 50 per cent to 18 per cent. Reacting to the development, Mayawati emphasized that forming an opinion without examining the full scope of the agreement would be hasty. “The actual impact of this decision can only be understood once it is implemented and ...