State

Varanasi:What began as a small grassroots experiment in a remote village of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency has today grown into a powerful movement of social transformation. The Green Brigade, a collective of rural women, is rapidly reshaping the social landscape of Varanasi and adjoining districts through courage, discipline, and collective action. From fighting drug addiction and gambling to preventing crimes against women and children, the Green Brigade has succeeded in achieving what years of strict law enforcement often failed to accomplish. Women Leading the Change Formed under the initiative of Hope Welfare Trust in 2015, the Green Brigade was conceptualised by young graduates from leading universities who sought to address deep-rooted social evil...

Lucknow:The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has announced the construction of a premium high-rise residential project in the heart of the city. The proposed 27-storey luxury apartment complex, ‘Aishbagh Square’, will come up on Mill Road in the Aishbagh area, offering modern housing in one of Old Lucknow’s most densely populated localities. According to official orders issued by LDA Vice-Chairman Prathamesh Kumar, online registration for the flats will remain open from January 29 to February 28, 2026, and applications will be accepted exclusively through the authority’s official website. Project Overview The project will feature 384 luxury apartments, each with an approximate carpet area of 1,900 square feet. Applicants will be required to deposit 5 per cent of the estimated f...

Agra:The city of Agra witnessed intense police action early Thursday morning as the Uttar Pradesh Police carried out multiple encounters in connection with the high-profile Raj Chauhan murder case. In one of the encounters, the main accused, Arbaaz Khan alias Mansoori, was killed, while two other wanted criminals sustained bullet injuries. The injured accused have been identified as Mohit Pandit and Ashu, both carrying a reward of ₹25,000 each. Two police personnel were also injured during the operation and have been admitted to hospital. Their condition is stated to be stable. Murder Triggered by Gang Rivalry Raj Chauhan, a known history-sheeter, was shot dead on January 23 in the Trans-Yamuna area of Agra. He was facing three criminal cases, including murder. Chauhan had been re...

Lucknow:In a major case of cyber and financial fraud, an NGO based in Lucknow was allegedly cheated of ₹1.31 crore on the pretext of securing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds. The case came to light after the victim approached the court, following which the police registered an FIR on judicial directions. The complaint has now been lodged at Gomti Nagar Police Station, and investigations are being carried out jointly by the local police and the cyber crime unit. How the Fraud Was Executed The complainant, Brijesh Tiwari, a resident of Vishal Khand, Gomti Nagar, is the secretary of Disha Manav Kalyan Evam Utthan Samiti, an NGO working since 2010 in the fields of handicrafts, environment protection, and integrated development. According to Tiwari, in September last yea...

Lucknow:The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has announced a major premium housing project in the heart of the city, offering residents a rare opportunity to own luxury apartments in one of Old Lucknow’s most sought-after locations. The project, named “Aishbagh Square”, will come up on Mill Road in Aishbagh and will feature 27-storey residential towers equipped with modern lifestyle amenities. According to official plans, the project will comprise 384 luxury flats, each spread over approximately 1,900 square feet. The LDA has opened online registration for the flats till February 20, 2026, through its official website. Applicants will be required to deposit 5 per cent of the estimated flat cost as registration amount, while candidates belonging to reserved categories will need to ...

Lucknow:Serious allegations have surfaced against IAS officer Abhay Singh of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, after his mother Rekha Singh accused him of illegally occupying her residential property in Rajasthan’s Chittorgarh and subjecting her to physical and mental harassment. Rekha Singh has formally submitted a written complaint to the Chairman of the Revenue Council, detailing the alleged incident and seeking administrative intervention. In her letter, she claimed that Abhay Singh, accompanied by his wife, arrived at her Chittorgarh residence, verbally abused her, physically assaulted her, and issued threats. She further alleged that CCTV cameras installed at the house were deliberately damaged during the incident. According to the complaint, fearing for her life, Rekha Singh locked ...

Lucknow:In a major breakthrough against the interstate codeine cough syrup smuggling network, the passport of alleged kingpin Shubham Jaiswal, currently hiding in Dubai, has been officially cancelled. With this development, his stay in the United Arab Emirates has now become illegal, significantly tightening the noose around him. According to officials of the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF), once an Indian passport is revoked while the individual is already abroad, the person is legally considered an illegal foreign national in that country. Under international norms, the host nation may initiate deportation proceedings. Following the cancellation, all visas issued on the passport — including those for Gulf countries, the UK, or the US — automatically become technically invali...

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh:The weather across Uttar Pradesh is set to remain predominantly dry on January 29, 2026, according to the latest updates from the Lucknow Meteorological Center. Dense fog is expected in both eastern and western regions of the state, accompanied by a drop in temperatures. No rainfall is forecast, but the combination of cold northwestern winds and lingering humidity may make the chill more pronounced, especially in the plains and Terai regions. Key Weather Alerts The meteorological department has warned of dense fog during the morning and night hours in several districts. Some areas may also experience a cold wave effect due to relatively low temperatures. City-Wise Forecast | City | Max Temp (°C) | Min Temp (°C) || Agra | 21.8 | 11.1 || Aligarh | 21.3 | 10...