State – Page 309 – SD NEWS agency

Fraudulent Admissions in MP Schools Defraud Government of Lakhs; EOW Investigation Reveals 6 Schools Involved

17Jan

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Madhya Pradesh, State

Fraudulent Admissions in MP Schools Defraud Government of Lakhs; EOW Investigation Reveals 6 Schools Involved

Jabalpur: A major scam involving the Right to Education (RTE) scheme has come to light in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, where private schools allegedly manipulated admissions of economically weaker students to siphon off government funds. An investigation by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has revealed that six school operators, in collusion with nodal officers, falsely claimed admissions for 628 students, defrauding the government of lakhs of rupees. Details of the ScamThe scam reportedly took place between 2011 and 2016. The EOW received complaints that certain private school operators were violating RTE regulations. Under the RTE Act, private schools are required to reserve 25% of their seats for children from economically weaker sections and below the poverty line. The government reimb...

‘Haunted’ Water Supply? Villagers in Muzaffarpur Fear Using Tank Built Inside Crematorium

17Jan

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Bihar, State

‘Haunted’ Water Supply? Villagers in Muzaffarpur Fear Using Tank Built Inside Crematorium

Muzaffarpur, Bihar, January 17, 2026: A bizarre controversy has emerged under Bihar’s “Har Ghar Nal-Jal” scheme, as a water tank constructed inside a crematorium has left nearly 2,000 villagers reluctant to use the water for drinking or cooking. The tank, built within the Khabra Panchayat’s Ward No. 4 by the PHED department and local representatives, is now supplying water to homes, but villagers are avoiding it due to religious and social concerns. Residents said that using water sourced from a crematorium—where bodies are cremated—is culturally and religiously unacceptable. They questioned why a sensitive location was chosen when public land was available elsewhere. Villagers allege that the Panchayat and concerned departments decided the site without consulting the local community. ...

Tragic Accident: Two Kerala Tourists Drown in Frozen Lake in Arunachal Pradesh

17Jan

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Arunachal Pradesh, State

Tragic Accident: Two Kerala Tourists Drown in Frozen Lake in Arunachal Pradesh

Itanagar, January 17, 2026: A tragic accident occurred in Arunachal Pradesh when two tourists from Kerala drowned after the ice on a high-altitude lake gave way. The incident took place at Sela Lake, located approximately 13,700 feet above sea level. One tourist was rescued, but two others lost their lives. According to reports, a group of seven Kerala tourists were visiting the frozen lake when they were reportedly playing on the ice. While setting up a camera at the center of the lake, the ice cracked under their weight, causing two tourists to fall into the freezing water. Fellow travelers tried to rescue them, but two of the tourists drowned before help arrived. An army rescue team, along with police and local authorities, retrieved the bodies of the deceased and successfully rescue...

Agra Police Place Hindu Mahasabha Leader Meera Rathore Under House Arrest Following Flag Announcement at Taj Mahal

17Jan

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State, Uttar Pradesh

Agra Police Place Hindu Mahasabha Leader Meera Rathore Under House Arrest Following Flag Announcement at Taj Mahal

Agra, January 17, 2026: Meera Rathore, district president of the All India Hindu Mahasabha, has been placed under house arrest by the Agra police after announcing plans to hoist a saffron flag atop the Taj Mahal. Rathore, who has referred to the Taj Mahal as “Tejo Mahalaya,” had declared she would raise a 21-meter-long saffron flag at the monument on Saturday. Following her announcement, the police took precautionary measures to maintain law and order. A police team reached her residence in the Nagla Mahadev area near Kailash Talkies in the Tajganj region late at night. Two male constables and one female constable were deployed to keep Rathore under house arrest, with additional security personnel stationed nearby to handle any untoward incidents. Rathore claimed she remains resolute...

Imran Masood and Akhilesh Yadav React to AR Rahman’s Claims of Religious Bias in Film Industry

17Jan

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State, Uttar Pradesh

Imran Masood and Akhilesh Yadav React to AR Rahman’s Claims of Religious Bias in Film Industry

Saharanpur, January 17, 2026: Renowned musician AR Rahman has stirred controversy by claiming that he has not been getting as much work in the film industry due to his religion. The statements have drawn responses from senior political figures, including former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, and Congress MP Imran Masood. Akilesh Yadav’s Statement:While speaking to the media, Akhilesh Yadav said he had not personally heard Rahman’s latest interview but emphasized his admiration for the Oscar-winning musician. “I have been a huge fan of AR Rahman’s music. Even before his songs were officially released, they used to top the charts. He is an internationally recognized artist, and no one should face discrimination in art, music, or culture,” Yadav ...

Cold Wave Hits Noida: Schools Closed Until 19 January

17Jan

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State, Uttar Pradesh

Cold Wave Hits Noida: Schools Closed Until 19 January

Noida, Uttar Pradesh: The cold wave and dense fog in Noida have prompted authorities to extend school holidays for students up to the 8th grade. The District Basic Education Officer has ordered that all schools under various boards remain closed until 19 January. Originally, schools were to remain closed from 31 December 2025 to 15 January 2026. The closure has now been extended in view of the persisting severe cold and fog in Gautam Buddh Nagar district. Since 18 January falls on a Sunday, schools are now scheduled to reopen on 19 January. Parents Express Frustration:The announcement, made on Friday morning, caused inconvenience for many parents who had already sent their children to school. Parent Manish Kumar said that children were prepared to attend school on 16 January, but the...

PM Modi to Land at Purnia Airport En Route to West Bengal; Bihar Ministers to Welcome Him

17Jan

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Bihar, State

PM Modi to Land at Purnia Airport En Route to West Bengal; Bihar Ministers to Welcome Him

Purnia, Bihar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to land at Purnia Airport in Bihar while on his way to West Bengal. The state administration has intensified preparations for his arrival. Bihar Cabinet Ministers Dilip Jaiswal and Lacy Singh will formally receive the Prime Minister, a politically significant gesture highlighting the state government’s coordination and protocol adherence. Security Arrangements:The Special Protection Group (SPG), in coordination with the district administration and airport authorities, has taken charge of security at the airport. Though it is a transit visit, strict protocols are being followed to ensure the Prime Minister’s safety and convenience during his brief stop. Bihar Ministers to Welcome PM:Revenue and Land Reforms Minister Dilip Jaiswa...

Shock in Bhilwara: Mother Kills Her Two Children After Misinterpreting Health Reels

17Jan

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Rajasthan, State

Shock in Bhilwara: Mother Kills Her Two Children After Misinterpreting Health Reels

Bhilwara, Rajasthan: A horrifying incident has come to light from Mandalgarh in Bhilwara district, where a mother allegedly killed her two children after fearing she had cancer. Authorities say the woman had been suffering from persistent mouth ulcers and gynecological problems. After watching social media reels suggesting that prolonged mouth ulcers could indicate cancer, she developed extreme anxiety and committed the unthinkable act. The tragedy occurred on the morning of 11 January in Manpura village, under Mandalgarh police station jurisdiction. According to police reports, the mother, Sanju Devi, strangled both children. She later attempted suicide herself and was hospitalized. Following her discharge, the police took her into custody for further investigation. Communication wi...

BJP Breaks Shiv Sena’s Three-Decade Stronghold in BMC; Many Political Heavyweights Lose Their Seats

17Jan

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Maharashtra, Politics, State

BJP Breaks Shiv Sena’s Three-Decade Stronghold in BMC; Many Political Heavyweights Lose Their Seats

In a historic shift, the BJP emerged as the largest party in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections on Friday, ending nearly three decades of Shiv Sena dominance. The party also secured victory in Pune, with the BJP-led alliance projected to win approximately 125 of the 227 BMC seats. The BMC, India’s wealthiest municipal body, has a budget of ₹74,427 crore for 2025-26. High-Profile Defeats:Much like in the recent Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, several political heavyweights lost in the BMC polls. Veteran civic leader Ravi Raja, who had served as a municipal councillor for 25 consecutive years, lost his first BMC election from Ward 185. BJP’s Vinod Mishra, contesting from Ward 43, also faced defeat in his second attempt. Rajul Patel of Shinde Sena, a four-time council...

Tenant Cheats Landlady of Lakhs, Steals Jewelry to Buy iPhone, Escapes with Fiancé

17Jan

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State, Uttar Pradesh

Tenant Cheats Landlady of Lakhs, Steals Jewelry to Buy iPhone, Escapes with Fiancé

Agra, January 17, 2026: A shocking theft has come to light in Agra, where a tenant from Mainpuri allegedly cheated her landlady and fled with her fiancé after stealing valuable jewelry and cash. According to police reports, Priya, a young woman from Mainpuri, had rented a house from Anita Sharma, a resident of Charu Enclave in Kherai. Initially, Priya quickly built a good rapport with Sharma, gaining her trust. During this period, Akash, who claimed to be Priya’s fiancé and resides near Chatka Devi Temple in Kherai, frequently visited the house. Anita Sharma reported that on December 30, Priya had seen her jewelry stored in the cupboard. The next day, December 31, Priya took Anita to Lucknow under the pretext of attending to her father’s illness. Upon returning on January 1, Priya...