Monday, July 20

State

Bihar Congress MLA Denies Rumors of Defection to JDU or NDA
Bihar, Politics, State

Bihar Congress MLA Denies Rumors of Defection to JDU or NDA

New Delhi: Following a recent Bihar Congress meeting in Delhi, MLA Abhishek Ranjan has firmly dismissed rumors suggesting that six Congress MLAs in Bihar are planning to leave the party for JDU or the NDA. The meeting, led by Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram, focused on strategies to strengthen the party in Bihar. Ranjan clarified that the gathering was a routine discussion involving not only MLAs but also MPs, MLCs, and senior party leaders. “The focus of the meeting was on organizational matters and key state issues. Every leader shared their views, and all suggestions were considered carefully,” he said. When asked about the circulating reports of potential defections, Ranjan dismissed them as baseless. “These claims are unnecessary and unf...
Patna Girl Burned Alive on Road by Councillor’s Son, Dies After Six Days in Hospital
Bihar, State

Patna Girl Burned Alive on Road by Councillor’s Son, Dies After Six Days in Hospital

Patna: In a horrifying incident in Gopalpur, Patna, a 17-year-old schoolgirl was set on fire by Aditya Kumar, the son of a local councillor, after she refused to talk to him. The girl succumbed to her injuries after six days of treatment at NMCH, highlighting serious concerns about women’s safety and the abuse of power by influential families. The accused is currently at large, and police are conducting extensive raids to apprehend him. The incident occurred on the evening of 17 January in Bairia village under the Gopalpur police jurisdiction. The girl, a Class 10 student, was returning home with her father’s hard-earned wages when Aditya reportedly blocked her path and insisted she talk to him. When she refused, a heated argument ensued, and the accused poured petrol on her and set her...
Helipad Controversy at Barkatullah University: Students, Alumni, and Locals Raise Environmental and Academic Concerns
Madhya Pradesh, State

Helipad Controversy at Barkatullah University: Students, Alumni, and Locals Raise Environmental and Academic Concerns

Bhopal: A controversy has erupted at Barkatullah University (BU) in Bhopal over the proposed helicopter service by the state tourism department. Students, alumni, and local residents have strongly opposed the construction of a helipad on the university’s sports ground and the proposed helicopter operations. Concerns have been raised about the noise disrupting ongoing classes and the potential threat to local birdlife. The issue came to the forefront after the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board requested space within the university for the “PM Shri Tourism Helicopter Service,” which was launched on 20 November 2025 to connect key religious, wildlife, and tourist sites across the state. The university community has objected to the plan, citing academic disruption and environmental hazards. N...
Gorakhpur Woman Arrested for Murder, Allegedly Ran Blackmail Ring Targeting Over 150 People
State, Uttar Pradesh

Gorakhpur Woman Arrested for Murder, Allegedly Ran Blackmail Ring Targeting Over 150 People

Gorakhpur: A shocking case has emerged from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, where Anshika Singh has been arrested for allegedly shooting a hospital manager to death. Police investigations reveal that Singh ran an extensive blackmail operation, reportedly extorting money from around 150 individuals, including 12 police officers. Several obscene videos were recovered from her mobile phone, indicating the scale of her operations. Authorities are now preparing to take action under the Gangster Act. Sources say that the family faced severe hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic when Anshika’s father, a farmer, passed away. Following his death, the family’s conduct became increasingly erratic, leading to social isolation. Her only brother moved to Pune after his marriage three years ago, and the vi...
Shashi Tharoor Refuses to Comment on Alleged Rift with Rahul Gandhi, Says Concerns Will Be Raised Within Party
Kerala, State

Shashi Tharoor Refuses to Comment on Alleged Rift with Rahul Gandhi, Says Concerns Will Be Raised Within Party

Thiruvananthapuram/ Kozhikode: Senior Congress leader and Kerala MP Shashi Tharoor has declined to comment publicly on the controversy surrounding his absence from a key state party meeting. Reports suggest that Tharoor was reportedly unhappy with the protocol at a program in Kochi attended by Rahul Gandhi, which led him to skip the crucial party session. His absence has raised questions among party workers about the unity within the state Congress. Speaking in Kozhikode, Tharoor emphasized that any concerns he has will be addressed directly within the party. “It is better to communicate concerns directly to the leadership. Several things are being reported in the media; some may be true, some may not,” he said. Tharoor stressed that such matters should not be discussed on public pla...
IAS Krishna Karunesh Appointed New CEO of Noida Authority Following Engineer’s Death
State, Uttar Pradesh

IAS Krishna Karunesh Appointed New CEO of Noida Authority Following Engineer’s Death

Noida: In the aftermath of software engineer Yuvraj Mehta’s tragic death, a major administrative reshuffle has taken place in Noida. IAS Krishna Karunesh, who was serving as the Additional Chief Executive Officer (ACEO) of Noida Authority, has been appointed as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The decision comes after the removal of the former CEO, Lokesh M, following directives from the state government. IAS Krishna Karunesh belongs to the 2011 batch and hails from Bihar. He has previously held key administrative positions including Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and Chief Development Officer in Ghaziabad, as well as District Magistrate in Hapur and Balrampur. Since January 2021, he has been serving as Vice Chairman of the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA). During his ten...
Delhi Police to Deploy ‘Smart Glasses’ Powered by AI for Real-Time Criminal Identification
DELHI (national capital territory), State

Delhi Police to Deploy ‘Smart Glasses’ Powered by AI for Real-Time Criminal Identification

New Delhi: In a major technological leap for law enforcement, the Delhi Police are set to deploy AI-powered smart glasses that can identify criminals within seconds—even in dense crowds. The advanced device, often described as “magical glasses,” will allow officers to instantly access a suspect’s criminal background simply by looking at them. First Use on Republic Day According to senior police officials, these AI-enabled smart glasses will be used for the first time during Republic Day celebrations on January 26. Developed by an Indian technology company, the glasses are integrated with the police’s central database containing records of criminals, proclaimed offenders, and individuals under surveillance. How the Technology Works The smart glasses are equipped with: Facial...
Human Skeleton Found at IGI Airport Turns Out to Be Medical Model
DELHI (national capital territory), State

Human Skeleton Found at IGI Airport Turns Out to Be Medical Model

New Delhi: A box containing what appeared to be a human skeleton at Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport triggered panic at the terminal on Friday morning. Upon investigation, authorities confirmed that the skeleton was not real but a model used for medical education. Incident Details The skeleton was discovered between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM near the departure area close to an airline office. The airport staff immediately alerted the Delhi Police, prompting a quick response from both Delhi Police and airport security personnel. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Vichitra Veer, stated that initial inspection suggested the skeleton was genuine, creating alarm among staff and passengers. However, further investigation revealed that the skeleton was a medical model used ...
Severe Cold Grips Rajasthan After Rain and Hailstorm; Mount Abu Hits Minus 7°C
Rajasthan, State

Severe Cold Grips Rajasthan After Rain and Hailstorm; Mount Abu Hits Minus 7°C

Jaipur: Rajasthan is witnessing a sharp drop in temperatures following recent storms, rain, and hailstorms across the state. The cold wave has intensified, affecting daily life in several districts. Mount Abu, the state’s only hill station, recorded a chilling minus 7°C, marking the season’s lowest temperature. Key Highlights Mount Abu records minus 7°C Frost covers fields in multiple districts Daytime temperatures drop by up to 10°C Cold wave disrupts normal life Impact Across the State The Rajasthan Meteorological Department reported extreme cold and severe cold wave conditions over the past 24 hours. Some areas, including Bharatpur, received light rain, while hailstorms were reported in other districts. Post-rain, the cold winds further intensified the chill. M...
Akhilesh Yadav Questions Caste-Based Census Notification, Flags Concerns Over Reservation Rights
State, Uttar Pradesh

Akhilesh Yadav Questions Caste-Based Census Notification, Flags Concerns Over Reservation Rights

Lucknow: Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has raised concerns over the recently issued government notification for the caste-based census. Criticizing the lack of a dedicated column for caste, Yadav alleged that the notification indicates the BJP government’s reluctance to conduct a proper caste enumeration. He emphasized that communities will now have to fight for their reservation rights independently. Akhilesh’s Critique In a post on social media platform X, Akhilesh Yadav questioned the purpose of the census without caste data. He stated that the BJP’s approach ensures neither enumeration nor a demographic basis for proportional reservation. He described the omission as a deliberate move against the PDA community, calling it a polit...