State

Lucknow: Chaos broke out at the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) headquarters in Lucknow on Thursday during a press conference addressed by party supremo and national president Mayawati. The incident occurred while Mayawati was speaking on the occasion of her 70th birthday, when smoke suddenly started emanating from the hall lights, triggering panic among attendees. According to reports, the press conference was underway in the party office when a technical malfunction caused smoke to rise from the lighting fixtures. The smoke quickly spread across the hall, causing alarm among party officials, workers, and members of the media present. Security personnel and event organizers acted swiftly, immediately concluding the press conference as a precaution. Mayawati, who was on stage, was safely e...

Kanpur: A major religious conversion racket has come to light in Ghatampur, Kanpur. The police have arrested Alvin from Kerala, who allegedly lured people into converting by promising financial benefits and claiming miraculous powers. According to local sources, Alvin misled people by asserting that his deity possessed powers capable of curing serious illnesses like cancer. The police recovered files, important documents, and a large quantity of promotional material from his possession. The Ghatampur police are currently investigating Alvin’s network and funding sources. Following complaints, Bajrang Dal activists raided a house in Nauranga where Alvin was conducting a prayer meeting, recording videos of the gathering. The police subsequently intervened and arrested Alvin, who had cl...

Sambhal: The controversy surrounding the Sambhal violence that occurred two years ago has resurfaced. The Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court recently ordered an FIR to be filed against 20 police officers, including then-ASP Anuj Chaudhary. Despite the court order, SP Krishna Kumar Vishnoi has stated that no case will be registered, citing that a judicial inquiry into the Sambhal violence has already been conducted. He also mentioned plans to appeal the order in the High Court. This is not the first instance of the Sambhal police refusing to comply with magistrate directives. In December last year, the police declined to register cases against an SHO and 12 other officers accused of falsely implicating a person in a robbery. That order was similarly issued by CJM Sudhir. Legal Experts ...

Prayagraj/Varanasi: On the eve of Makar Sankranti, a massive surge of faith and devotion swept through the holy cities of Prayagraj and Varanasi, with millions of pilgrims participating in sacred river baths. In Prayagraj alone, approximately eight million devotees took a dip at the Sangam and other prominent ghats, while Varanasi witnessed over two lakh devotees performing the ritual in the Ganga. Devotion and Celebration at the SangamFrom early morning, pilgrims from across the country thronged the Sangam, Naini’s Areil, Jhunsi, and other major bathing sites. Men, women, children, and elderly devotees filled every ghat, eager to perform the holy dip. The festival, blending spirituality and tradition, also saw devotees offering donations and visiting temples such as Akshayavat and Lete...