Monday, February 16

Rajasthan

Cold Tightens Grip Across Rajasthan After Season’s First Winter Rain; Fog Alert Issued in Over 18 Districts
Rajasthan, State

Cold Tightens Grip Across Rajasthan After Season’s First Winter Rain; Fog Alert Issued in Over 18 Districts

Rajasthan witnessed a sharp change in weather as the state recorded its first winter rain (locally known as Mavath) of the season on the final night of 2025, affecting more than half a dozen districts. The rainfall, triggered by an active western disturbance, has brought much-needed relief to farmers, even as dense fog and intensified cold conditions have raised concerns for daily life and transportation at the start of the New Year. From Wednesday evening through late night on December 31, districts including Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Churu, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Barmer, Jaisalmer, and Jalore received light to moderate rainfall. Jodhpur experienced drizzle accompanied by strong winds, while Bikaner and Barmer saw relatively heavier showers that led to a noticeable drop in temperatures. In Jalore, ...
PM Modi to Inaugurate Barmer Pachpadra Refinery in Rajasthan This January
Rajasthan, State

PM Modi to Inaugurate Barmer Pachpadra Refinery in Rajasthan This January

Jaipur: The Barmer-based Pachpadra Refinery in Rajasthan is set to make rapid progress as the state government has approved a revised budget for the project. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the refinery in January 2026, marking a major milestone in Rajasthan’s energy sector. The government has announced that the first phase of the refinery will begin trial operations this month. While full commercial production is expected to start in July 2026, the inauguration by PM Modi will officially dedicate the project to the nation this January. Project Cost and ApprovalMinister Jogaram Patel informed the media that the company HRRL submitted a revised cost proposal on 24 July 2025. To ensure transparency, the state government sought evaluation from the central governm...
Rajasthan Gears Up for Panchayat Elections: Draft Voter List to Be Released on January 29
Politics, Rajasthan, State

Rajasthan Gears Up for Panchayat Elections: Draft Voter List to Be Released on January 29

Jaipur: Preparations for the Panchayati Raj elections in Rajasthan are now in full swing. The State Election Commission (SEC) has announced the schedule for updating the voter list ahead of the anticipated elections in March 2026. According to the SEC, the draft voter list will be published on 29 January 2026, followed by the public display of the list at ward and polling stations on 31 January. Citizens will have time until 7 February to file claims or objections. The SEC will resolve all objections between 8 and 14 February, with the final voter list scheduled for release on 25 February. Elections Before April 15 The elections for Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis, and Zila Parishads are expected to be held before 15 April 2026, in line with the Supreme Court-mandated timeline....
Rajasthan RPS Officer Ritesh Patel Arrested for Demanding ₹1 Crore Extortion; Previously Linked to Controversies
Rajasthan, State

Rajasthan RPS Officer Ritesh Patel Arrested for Demanding ₹1 Crore Extortion; Previously Linked to Controversies

Jaipur, Rajasthan: In a sensational development that has sent shockwaves through political and administrative circles, Rajasthan Police have arrested 2019-batch RPS officer Ritesh Patel for allegedly demanding ₹1 crore in extortion from a local businessman. Fake FIR Used to Intimidate BusinessmanAccording to police sources, Patel allegedly created a fake FIR through the Special Operations Group (SOG) to threaten the businessman. Leveraging this false case, he demanded a bribe of ₹1 crore. The victim, initially intimidated, paid ₹25 lakh, but later gathered evidence and reported the matter to Jaipur Police Commissioner Sachin Mittal, prompting an immediate investigation. Following verification of the allegations, the Mahesh Nagar police station arrested Ritesh Patel on Wednesday. Who ...
Rajasthan Introduces Cab Cancellation Penalty Rules for 2026: Avoid Losing ₹100
Rajasthan, State

Rajasthan Introduces Cab Cancellation Penalty Rules for 2026: Avoid Losing ₹100

Jaipur, Rajasthan: The Rajasthan government has introduced new rules for cab passengers under the Rajasthan Motor Vehicle Aggregator Rules 2025, aimed at regulating cab cancellations. Starting this New Year, any cancellation without a valid reason will attract a penalty of 10% of the total fare or up to ₹100, whichever is lower. The rule applies equally to both passengers and drivers. Penalty Details for Drivers and PassengersIf a cab driver cancels a ride after accepting it without a legitimate reason, a penalty of 10% of the total fare or ₹100 (whichever is less) may be deducted and credited directly to the passenger’s account. Similarly, if a passenger cancels a ride without valid reason, the same penalty will be applicable. Why the Government Took This StepThe government has cite...
Shocking Murder in Dholpur: Wife and Lover Kill Husband Before New Year
Rajasthan, State

Shocking Murder in Dholpur: Wife and Lover Kill Husband Before New Year

Dholpur: In a sensational crime, the Dholpur police have revealed that a man was brutally murdered by his own wife in collusion with her lover. The shocking incident took place in Daunari village under Sampau police station, exposing a sinister plot driven by an extramarital affair. Lover Confesses to CrimePolice investigation confirmed that the accused, Shah Rukh Khan, admitted to participating in the murder. According to authorities, under the wife Rajni’s planning, the victim, Ravikant (34), son of Soran Singh, was bludgeoned to death with stones. His body was then disposed of in a deep 50-feet gorge near Shergarh Fort to mislead the victim’s family and authorities. Wife Misleads Family with Bizarre StoryAfter the murder, Rajni tried to confuse Ravikant’s relatives by claiming tha...
Rachana Samleti Appointed National Secretary of All India Mahila Congress After Spotlight in Bharat Jodo Yatra
Rajasthan, State

Rachana Samleti Appointed National Secretary of All India Mahila Congress After Spotlight in Bharat Jodo Yatra

Rachana Samleti, who gained attention during Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, has been appointed National Secretary of the All India Mahila Congress. The announcement has sparked celebrations across Dausa district, from Mahwa to Delhi, with party workers and local residents expressing immense pride in her achievement. Humble beginnings, national platform Rachana Samleti hails from a rural background and currently serves as the Sarpanch of Samleti Gram Panchayat. She also holds the position of Vice President of the Rajasthan Pradesh Mahila Congress. Educated with an MA and B.Ed, she has actively contributed to grassroots politics, particularly in women’s empowerment and tribal welfare. Her husband, Dinesh Kumar Meena, supports her political endeavors. Extensive organizational expe...
Rajasthan Brims with Tourists as Hotels from Jaipur to Jaisalmer Show ‘House Full’ for New Year 2026
Rajasthan, State

Rajasthan Brims with Tourists as Hotels from Jaipur to Jaisalmer Show ‘House Full’ for New Year 2026

Rajasthan is witnessing a massive influx of tourists, both domestic and international, as the state gears up to bid farewell to 2025 and welcome New Year 2026. From Jaipur to Jaisalmer, hotels are fully booked, and major tourist destinations and shopping complexes are bustling with visitors. Tourism in Rajasthan typically begins picking up in September, but by December, the season reaches its peak. In the last days of the year, the number of tourists multiplies, with people flocking to the state’s iconic attractions to celebrate the occasion. On 31st December, Jaipur and other major cities are witnessing heavy footfall at landmarks like Hawa Mahal, Amer Fort, and Jantar Mantar. According to the Jaipur Hotel Association, all hotels had been fully booked days in advance, with visitors ...
Major Breakthrough for Rajasthan Police Ahead of New Year: 150 kg Ammonium Nitrate Seized in Tonk, Two Arrested
Rajasthan, State

Major Breakthrough for Rajasthan Police Ahead of New Year: 150 kg Ammonium Nitrate Seized in Tonk, Two Arrested

In a significant success ahead of the New Year, the Rajasthan Police have busted a major illegal explosives trafficking racket in Tonk district. The District Special Team (DST) seized 150 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, a highly hazardous explosive material, and arrested two notorious smugglers in the operation. A luxury car used for transporting the explosives has also been confiscated. Acting on a specific intelligence input, the DST learned that a consignment of illegal explosive material was being transported from Bundi to Tonk in a high-end vehicle. Based on this information, the team set up a blockade in the Baroni police station area and intercepted a suspicious Maruti Ciaz car. During the search, police recovered a large cache of explosives hidden cleverly inside urea fertiliz...
Tonk Police Seize Large Consignment of Explosives, Arrest Two Smugglers
Rajasthan, State

Tonk Police Seize Large Consignment of Explosives, Arrest Two Smugglers

Tonk, Rajasthan – In a major breakthrough, the District Special Team (DST) of Tonk has seized a large cache of illegal explosives and arrested two suspects involved in the smuggling operation. The accused, residents of Bundi district, were apprehended along with a Maruti Ciaz car used for transporting the explosives. Acting on a tip-off, the DST received information that explosives were being transported from Bundi to Tonk in a luxury vehicle. The team set up a checkpoint in the Baroni police jurisdiction and intercepted the suspicious Maruti Ciaz. Upon searching the vehicle, authorities were shocked to discover a substantial quantity of explosives, highlighting the seriousness of the smuggling attempt. The arrested individuals are currently in police custody, and further investigati...