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Agra–Udaipur Vande Bharat Train Operations to Cease; Passengers Advised to Note Dates

14Feb

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State, Uttar Pradesh

Agra–Udaipur Vande Bharat Train Operations to Cease; Passengers Advised to Note Dates

Agra, February 14, 2026: The semi-high-speed Vande Bharat Express running between Agra Cantt (Uttar Pradesh) and Udaipur City (Rajasthan) will be discontinued due to low passenger turnout and seating challenges. The train will stop operating from January 15, and its train number will be officially canceled from February 16. Reservations for this route have already been removed from the railway system. The Vande Bharat Express, which took approximately 8 hours 45 minutes to travel between Agra and Udaipur, faced declining popularity as travelers found the journey long and expensive compared to other trains on the same route. Reasons for Discontinuation The main reason behind the decision is low passenger demand. Other trains on this route offer fares that are lower and have similar...

Sunetra Pawar Set to Take Over as National President of NCP; Prafull Patel Clarifies Leadership

14Feb

By sd newsNo Comments

Maharashtra, State

Sunetra Pawar Set to Take Over as National President of NCP; Prafull Patel Clarifies Leadership

Mumbai, February 14, 2026: In a major development in Maharashtra politics, Sunetra Pawar is poised to assume the role of National President of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The announcement comes amid discussions about the potential merger of the two NCP factions. Prafull Patel, NCP Working President and a close aide of the late Ajit Pawar, clarified that Sunetra Pawar is the sole candidate for the post, dismissing earlier speculation about Patel himself taking over. First Woman to Lead the Party Sunetra Pawar, who became Deputy Chief Minister following Ajit Pawar’s untimely death in a plane crash on January 31, will now also lead the 26-year-old party as its first female National President. She is expected to formally take over the position within the next two weeks. As Depu...

Chaos in Omkareshwar: Traders Allege Loot of Seized Spices by Police and Kotwars

14Feb

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Madhya Pradesh, State

Chaos in Omkareshwar: Traders Allege Loot of Seized Spices by Police and Kotwars

Omkareshwar, Khandwa, February 14, 2026: Tensions erupted in Omkareshwar during Mahashivratri preparations when traders alleged that police and kotwars looted spices seized by the revenue department. The seized items included packets of chili, coriander, turmeric, and cumin. The situation was defused after three hours following the intervention of Mandhata MLA Narayan Patel, who assured action against the culprits. Mahashivratri Preparations Spark Controversy Ahead of the Mahashivratri festival, authorities in Omkareshwar conducted operations to regulate traffic and ensure smooth access for devotees. As part of this, the Tehsildar seized spices from traders selling along the roadside. Traders claimed that they had been operating in the same location for years, and the sudden action c...

NHAI Faces Consumer Court Notice After FASTag Deducts Toll from Car Parked at Home in Kota

14Feb

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Rajasthan, State

NHAI Faces Consumer Court Notice After FASTag Deducts Toll from Car Parked at Home in Kota

Kota, February 14, 2026: In an unusual digital-age dispute, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has been issued a notice by the Kota Consumer Court after a FASTag toll was deducted from a car that was parked outside its owner’s home. The case has raised questions about accountability in automated toll collection systems. The complainant, Ashok Kumar Nagar of Arlia Arandkheda, Ladpura, noticed that two separate tolls of ₹30 each were deducted from his account despite his car remaining stationary at home. The first deduction occurred on September 26 at the Karadia Toll Plaza, followed by another on October 5 at the Jalim Pura Toll Plaza, totaling ₹60. Shocked by the “invisible journey,” Kumar approached NHAI officials, but received no satisfactory response. Legal Action and...

Special IRCTC Train for Bihar Devotees: Visit Jyotirlingas and Shirdi Sai Baba in an 8-Day Pilgrimage

14Feb

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Bihar, State

Special IRCTC Train for Bihar Devotees: Visit Jyotirlingas and Shirdi Sai Baba in an 8-Day Pilgrimage

Patna, February 14, 2026: Devotees from Bihar have a golden opportunity to embark on a spiritual journey to Maharashtra with a special train announced by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). Starting from March 28, this eight-day pilgrimage will take passengers to three major Jyotirlingas, Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, and the Shani Shingnapur Temple. The all-inclusive package covers accommodation, meals, local transportation, and travel insurance. According to IRCTC Regional Manager Rajesh Kumar, the train will commence from Dhanbad in Jharkhand and pass through key stations in Bihar including Patna, Gaya, Rajgir, and Ara. Pilgrims will have the opportunity to visit the sacred temples of Trimbakeshwar, Bhimashankar, and Grishneshwar Jyotirlingas, along with the Shirdi...

Gopalganj Atal Murder Case: Two Convicted, Including MALE Leader Jitendra Paswan, Sentenced to Life Imprisonment

14Feb

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Bihar, State

Gopalganj Atal Murder Case: Two Convicted, Including MALE Leader Jitendra Paswan, Sentenced to Life Imprisonment

Gopalganj, February 14, 2026: In a significant verdict in Bihar, the Gopalganj court has sentenced two men, including MALE (Communist Party of India [Marxist–Leninist] Liberation) leader and former INOS state president Jitendra Paswan, to life imprisonment for their role in the high-profile Atal Pandey murder case. The court also imposed a fine of ₹50,000 each on the convicts, with an additional one-year imprisonment in case of non-payment. District Judge-12, Dheeraj Kumar Mishra, delivered the verdict on Tuesday, ordering the convicts to be taken into custody immediately. The court also directed the District Legal Services Authority to determine compensation for the victim’s family. Background of the Atal Pandey Murder Case The crime dates back to December 2, 2021, in Korea villa...

Mumbai Metro Mishap: Under-Construction Pillar Collapses in Mulund, Vehicles Hit, Four Injured

14Feb

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Maharashtra, State

Mumbai Metro Mishap: Under-Construction Pillar Collapses in Mulund, Vehicles Hit, Four Injured

Mumbai, February 14, 2026: A section of an under-construction elevated metro corridor in Mulund West, Mumbai, suddenly collapsed on Saturday, hitting vehicles passing below and injuring four people. Authorities and witnesses reported chaos at the scene as the concrete segment fell, trapping a car and an auto-rickshaw beneath it. The injured were promptly rescued and taken to nearby hospitals. Witnesses described how the cement segment fell between the two vehicles, causing panic among bystanders. Firefighters and police arrived at the site immediately and cordoned off traffic in the area to ensure safety. The mishap occurred around 12:15 PM near Metro Pillar P196, close to the Mulund Fire Station along LBS Road in the Rajiv (Milan) area. The affected section belongs to Mumbai Metro L...

Haryana Shock: Man Kills Live-in Partner, Spends Two Days with Her Body, Carves His Name on Victim and Takes Selfies

14Feb

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PUNJAB AND HARYANA, State

Haryana Shock: Man Kills Live-in Partner, Spends Two Days with Her Body, Carves His Name on Victim and Takes Selfies

Bathinda, February 14, 2026: In a chilling crime that has sent shockwaves through Haryana, the Bathinda Police have arrested a man accused of murdering his live-in partner, only identified as Sapna alias Malika, from Bagha Purana in Moga district. The accused, Prince Kumar, 35, reportedly killed the woman on February 10 and shockingly spent the next two days with her body. Disturbingly, he carved his name on her face and chest before taking selfies with the corpse. In an attempt to destroy evidence, he partially burned the body and later disposed of it in a suitcase. The suitcase was found on February 11 near Behman Diwana village along the Bathinda-Malout highway. Bathinda SSP Jyoti Yadav said, “The accused was a close friend of the deceased and had known her for several months. The...

Bihar Adopts Zero Tolerance on Crime Home Minister Samrat Choudhary Pushes ‘Encounter Policy’, STF Action Surges 300%

14Feb

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Bihar, State

Bihar Adopts Zero Tolerance on Crime Home Minister Samrat Choudhary Pushes ‘Encounter Policy’, STF Action Surges 300%

Patna, Bihar: As soon as Samrat Choudhary assumed office as Bihar’s Home Minister in the new Nitish Kumar government, he adopted a strict ‘zero tolerance’ approach toward crime. Central to this strategy has been the controversial ‘Encounter Policy,’ which has led to a significant rise in police encounters in the state during the early months of 2025 and 2026 compared to 2024. Surge in Encounters Under Choudhary Under the leadership of Samrat Choudhary, the Bihar Police, particularly the Special Task Force (STF), have markedly increased encounters against criminals. In 2024, there were only 8 reported encounters, but in 2025, the number rose sharply to 29. These encounters involved exchange of fire, injuries, and, in some cases, fatalities. Notable incidents include the killing of fou...

Indian Railways Unveils Mega Plan of Special Trains to Bihar for Holi

14Feb

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Bihar, State

Indian Railways Unveils Mega Plan of Special Trains to Bihar for Holi

Patna, Bihar: Indian Railways has rolled out an extensive travel plan for passengers heading to Bihar for Holi. The East Central Railway has announced the timetable for 13 pairs of special trains connecting New Delhi and Kolkata to various destinations across Bihar. Earlier, eight special trains had already been introduced, and additional services are expected in the coming days. Delhi-Bihar Special Trains Passengers from New Delhi can avail the following Holi specials: Anand Vihar–Sheikhpura Special (04070/04069): Runs 20, 24, 27 Feb and 3, 6 Mar. New Delhi–Barauni Special (04054/04053): Operates 20 Feb–6 Mar (outbound) and 22 Feb–8 Mar (return). New Delhi–Supaul Special (04060/04059): 20 Feb–6 Mar (outbound) and 22 Feb–8 Mar (return). Delhi–Sitamarhi Special (04010/040...