State

Jhansi:A shocking incident of temple theft has come to light from Jhansi district in Uttar Pradesh, where a gold locket was stolen from the idol of Goddess Durga at the Badi Mata Temple. The incident occurred late at night in the Garautha police station area and was captured on the temple’s CCTV cameras. The video footage has been handed over to the police, who have launched an investigation based on the visuals. According to information, the Badi Mata Temple is located on Madhan Road under the Garautha police jurisdiction. CCTV footage shows a man fearlessly entering the temple premises at night and removing a gold locket from the idol of Goddess Durga before fleeing the scene. The theft reportedly took place on Friday night. The incident came to light on Saturday morning when devot...

Ghaziabad, January 12, 2026:In a significant relief for homebuyers and investors, the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) has announced a reduction in interest rates on its properties. Following government directives, GDA has decided to link its interest rates with those of the State Bank of India (SBI), making property purchases more affordable for the general public. Until now, buyers purchasing flats, plots, or commercial properties from GDA were required to pay an annual interest rate of 10.5 percent on installments directly to the authority. Under the new policy, the interest rate will now be aligned with SBI’s prevailing home loan rates, which are currently around 8.7 percent. This results in a direct reduction of nearly 1.8 to 2 percent in interest, offering substantial financi...

:Speculation has intensified in Uttar Pradesh’s political circles following remarks by former Ayodhya MP Vinay Katiyar, hinting at his possible return to active electoral politics. After a recent meeting with BJP state president Pankaj Chaudhary, Katiyar openly expressed his desire to contest elections from Ayodhya, triggering debate over the Bharatiya Janata Party’s larger political strategy ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections and the 2029 Lok Sabha polls. When asked about contesting elections, Katiyar said, “Preparation is always there.” Addressing party workers, he added, “Ram Janmabhoomi is ours; it is natural that the drumbeat will sound from here.” His statement has been widely interpreted as a strong signal of political intent, sparking discussions on whether the veteran leader ...

:Marriage, traditionally regarded as a bond meant to last a lifetime, is increasingly proving fragile in today’s fast-changing social landscape. In Uttar Pradesh’s capital Lucknow, police stations and family courts are witnessing a steady rise in marital disputes—many of them triggered by seemingly trivial issues such as food preferences, clothing choices, daily expenses, and even sanitary pads. Cases that were once resolved within the four walls of a home are now finding their way into police complaints and courtrooms. Officials say the growing intolerance and lack of communication between couples are pushing relationships to breaking point far sooner than before. Family Courts Flooded With Cases According to officials at the Family Court in Lucknow, nearly 50 to 60 cases are reg...

:The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise has led to a sharp rise in passport applications across Uttar Pradesh, significantly increasing the waiting period for appointments at Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs). Where applicants earlier secured appointments within 10 to 15 days, the current waiting time has stretched to 20–25 days, officials said. Passports are being widely used as a valid document during the SIR process to establish citizenship, prompting a rush among voters to apply. As a result, Passport Seva Kendras in Lucknow and other districts have been witnessing unusually heavy footfall over the past few days. Under the jurisdiction of the Regional Passport Office (RPO), Lucknow, there are four Passport Seva Kendras and 32 Post Office Passport Seva Kendras, with the headquar...

The demolition of the Abdul Ghani Shah shrine located beneath the Gorakhpur Road overbridge in Deoria has triggered sharp political reactions and heightened communal sensitivities in the district. Acting on an order of the SDM court, the district administration on Sunday carried out a bulldozer operation, razing the structure that was allegedly built on government land without approved maps. Heavy police deployment was made in and around the site from early morning. Entry and exit routes were sealed, and the entire area was barricaded to prevent any untoward incident. Senior administrative and police officials, including the Joint Magistrate, remained present throughout the operation, which continued till late evening. ‘Threatened With Sambhal-like Case,’ Says Committee President ...

Lucknow/Jaunpur: Uttar Pradesh Minister AK Sharma made a strong statement in Jaunpur on Saturday, criticizing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA). He claimed that since its inception in 2005, the scheme had failed to deliver any meaningful results. Speaking to the media, Sharma said, “Even after 20 to 21 years, MNREGA has not resulted in the construction of proper roads or adequate water bodies. The scheme failed to make a real impact during the UPA government.” When asked about the last 11 years under the NDA government since 2014, Sharma clarified that his criticism was aimed at the UPA-era implementation. He added, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced revolutionary reforms in the scheme.” Empowering Rural India with the GI-RAM ActSharma high...