Saturday, July 18

State

Minor Girl’s Presence of Mind Foils Sexual Assault Attempt in Bihar’s Gopalganj, Accused on the Run
Bihar, State

Minor Girl’s Presence of Mind Foils Sexual Assault Attempt in Bihar’s Gopalganj, Accused on the Run

A serious crime was narrowly averted in Gopalganj district of Bihar after a minor girl’s alertness and courage forced two accused men to flee during an alleged attempt of sexual assault. The incident occurred under the Town Police Station area, prompting swift police action and widespread public appreciation for the girl’s presence of mind. According to police officials, the accused attempted to sexually assault the minor, but the girl managed to resist and create a situation that compelled the perpetrators to escape. Her family immediately informed the police, following which a formal complaint was registered. The police recorded the minor’s statement and initiated an investigation. SDPO Pranjal said that preliminary findings revealed that one of the accused was previously acquainte...
27 Indian Gaurs Successfully Relocated from Satpura to Bandhavgarh, Second Phase of Reintroduction Programme Completed
Madhya Pradesh, State

27 Indian Gaurs Successfully Relocated from Satpura to Bandhavgarh, Second Phase of Reintroduction Programme Completed

In a major boost to wildlife conservation efforts, the second phase of the Indian Gaur Reintroduction Programme at the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve was successfully completed on January 26, 2026. Under this initiative, 27 Indian gaurs (5 males and 22 females) were safely relocated from the Satpura Tiger Reserve to Bandhavgarh, covering a distance of 593 kilometres. The relocation programme began on January 22 and concluded smoothly after four days of carefully coordinated operations. The gaurs were transported in specially designed vehicles under continuous veterinary supervision and were released into a secured enclosure in the Kallwah range of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. According to forest officials, the operation was conducted with extreme caution to ensure the safety and well-being ...
Nitish Kumar Begins Second Phase of ‘Samriddhi Yatra’ in Mithila, Announces Projects Worth ₹391 Crore
Bihar, Politics, State

Nitish Kumar Begins Second Phase of ‘Samriddhi Yatra’ in Mithila, Announces Projects Worth ₹391 Crore

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday launched the second phase of his ambitious ‘Samriddhi Yatra’, beginning from Madhubani district in the Mithila region. During the three-day tour from January 27 to 29, the Chief Minister will review the progress of government schemes and announce major development projects across several districts. On the first day of the tour in Madhubani, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for 101 new projects worth ₹298 crore and inaugurated 294 completed projects costing ₹93 crore, taking the total value of development initiatives announced in the district to ₹391 crore. The visit aims to assess the on-ground implementation of flagship programmes under ‘Saat Nishchay–2’ and ‘Saat Nishchay–3’, while also ensuring accountability by reviewing th...
Two Hostel Wardens Arrested in Noida BTech Student Suicide Case
State, Uttar Pradesh

Two Hostel Wardens Arrested in Noida BTech Student Suicide Case

In a significant development in the Noida BTech student suicide case, police have arrested two hostel wardens following allegations of physical assault and harassment by the hostel management. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and protests in the area. The deceased student, Udit Soni, a native of Mauranipur in Jhansi district, was pursuing a BTech degree at Galgotias University and was residing at EZ Hostel in Knowledge Park, Noida. According to the complaint filed by his father, Vijay Soni, Udit was allegedly assaulted by hostel staff on Friday night. As per the allegations, Udit returned to the hostel around 10:00 PM along with two of his friends. The hostel management accused them of late entry and consuming alcohol, imposed a fine of ₹10,000, and allegedly subjected Udi...
Patna Girls Hostel Case: Family Questions SIT Probe After FSL Report, Highlights Role of Witness Woman
Bihar, State

Patna Girls Hostel Case: Family Questions SIT Probe After FSL Report, Highlights Role of Witness Woman

Patna: In the aftermath of the tragic incident at Shambhu Girls Hostel in Bihar’s capital, the families of the students have raised serious concerns over the ongoing investigation. On Sunday, the belongings of hostel residents, including laptops, bedsheets, books, and other items, were returned to them in the presence of a magistrate, except for the room of the deceased NEET aspirant. Families stated that the hostel had become unlivable following the incident, with many students preparing for intermediate exams starting February 2. Students had earlier protested to regain access to their belongings. Family Meets DGP Over Investigation Concerns On Saturday, the family of the deceased NEET student met DGP Vinay Kumar, demanding a fair and impartial investigation. They alleged that inte...
West Bengal Yet to Gazette Census Notification, TMC and Centre at Odds Again
State, West Bengal

West Bengal Yet to Gazette Census Notification, TMC and Centre at Odds Again

Kolkata: A new dispute has emerged between the West Bengal government and the Central government over the conduct of the upcoming national census. While the Government of India issued a notification on June 16, 2025, authorizing the census under the Census Act, 1948, the West Bengal government has not published the notification in its official gazette, even six months later, raising concerns about procedural compliance. The issue came to light during a recent conference of Chief Secretaries, state nodal officers, and census directors held in New Delhi, where central officials flagged the non-publication. According to the census schedule, house listing for the first phase is set to begin on April 1, 2026, while the second phase will commence on April 1, 2027. Under federal law, all state...
High Alert in Ayodhya on Republic Day as Lakhs of Devotees Throng Ram Temple
State, Uttar Pradesh

High Alert in Ayodhya on Republic Day as Lakhs of Devotees Throng Ram Temple

Ayodhya: Security has been significantly tightened across Ayodhya district on the occasion of Republic Day, with authorities placing the holy city on high alert amid an unprecedented influx of devotees visiting the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. Intensive checking is being carried out at all major entry points, and security agencies are maintaining close surveillance to prevent any untoward incident. Senior Superintendent of Police Dr Gaurav Grover said that vehicles arriving from outside the district are undergoing thorough inspections, while luggage carried by pilgrims and travellers is being meticulously checked. As part of heightened vigilance, police are also verifying the credentials of street vendors, roadside shopkeepers and cart owners, including Aadhaar-based identity checks. Heav...
“Every Martyr Is Only an Indian”: Mohan Bhagwat Calls for Unity and Social Harmony in Muzaffarpur
Bihar, State

“Every Martyr Is Only an Indian”: Mohan Bhagwat Calls for Unity and Social Harmony in Muzaffarpur

Muzaffarpur: On the occasion of Republic Day 2026, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat delivered a strong message of national unity, social harmony and constitutional responsibility while addressing swayamsevaks in Muzaffarpur, Bihar. Emphasising that sacrifice for the nation transcends religious identity, Bhagwat said, “Every soldier who lays down his life on the border is only an Indian, whether Hindu or Muslim.” Dr Bhagwat, who is on a visit to Muzaffarpur during the centenary year of the RSS, hoisted the national flag at the North Bihar provincial headquarters ‘Madhukar Niketan’ near Kalambagh Chowk. Following the ceremony, he held an interaction and guidance session with RSS functionaries from various organisational levels of North Bihar. Republic Day Messag...
From Space to Supreme Honour: Lucknow’s Shubhanshu Shukla to Receive Ashok Chakra, Varanasi’s N. Rajam Awarded Padma Vibhushan
State, Uttar Pradesh

From Space to Supreme Honour: Lucknow’s Shubhanshu Shukla to Receive Ashok Chakra, Varanasi’s N. Rajam Awarded Padma Vibhushan

Lucknow/Varanasi: The spirit of Republic Day 2026 shone brightly across Uttar Pradesh as the state’s sons and daughters received some of the country’s highest civilian and gallantry honours. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an officer of the Indian Air Force and India’s second astronaut, has been awarded the Ashok Chakra, the nation’s highest peacetime gallantry award. Meanwhile, legendary violinist Professor N. Rajam of Varanasi has been conferred with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan for her outstanding contribution to Indian classical music. The announcements were made on the eve of Republic Day, and the awards were formally presented during the national समारोह on Monday. President Droupadi Murmu also approved gallantry awards for 70 personnel of the Armed Forces and announced 982 pol...
AERO Suspended in West Bengal Over Voter List Irregularities After BJP Leader Suvendu Adhikari Flags Issue
State, West Bengal

AERO Suspended in West Bengal Over Voter List Irregularities After BJP Leader Suvendu Adhikari Flags Issue

Kolkata: In a significant development amid heightened scrutiny of electoral processes, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has suspended an Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO) in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal after serious irregularities were detected during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. According to the Election Commission, Sumitra Pratima Pradhan, who was serving as the Block Development Officer (BDO) and AERO of Basirhat-II block, had illegally appointed four officials as Additional AEROs to hear objections and claims related to voter list discrepancies. These officials were never formally notified or authorised under Section 13C of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, making their appointments unlawful. Violation of Ele...