Rajasthan

Just days before the close of a distinguished administrative career, one of Rajasthan’s most experienced and senior IAS officers has found himself at the centre of a major controversy. Subodh Agrawal, a 1988-batch IAS officer and widely regarded as the seniormost bureaucrat in the state, was preparing to retire on December 31, 2025—with barely 300 hours left for a life of calm after decades of public service. Instead, his final days in service have been overshadowed by serious allegations linked to the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam. In a significant development, the Rajasthan government has granted permission to prosecute Subodh Agrawal and several other senior officials in connection with the alleged irregularities in the ambitious drinking water scheme. The timing of the decision—so c...

Kota, Rajasthan: The 79-ton bell at Chambal River Front, designed to be India’s largest single-piece casting bell, has remained trapped in its mold for two years, sparking renewed political and administrative debate. Despite being cast from 13 different metals and completed in size over two years ago, the bell has yet to be removed from its mold. Minister Labels the Bell a ‘Ruin’During a visit to the Chambal River Front, UDH Minister Jhabar Singh Kharra described the bell as a structure that may remain a “ruin” due to the lack of available technical experts to remove it. The minister also referred to the River Front project as a “white elephant”, citing monthly maintenance costs of approximately ₹1.5 crore and the search for new revenue sources. Engineers’ Vision: ‘Om’ ResonanceEngin...

Renowned Rajasthan cadre IPS officer Dinesh MN, famously known as the ‘Real Singham,’ is likely to join the central government soon. A 1995-batch officer, Dinesh MN has earned acclaim for taking decisive action against notorious criminals and gangsters in Rajasthan, including his significant role in high-profile cases such as the Anandpal encounter. Criminals Fear His NameSenior IPS officer Dinesh MN has long been a figure that criminals dread. Throughout his postings, he has personally led operations against hardened criminals, often going into the field with police teams to ensure offenders are brought to justice. While serving as SP in Sawai Madhopur, his team carried out the encounter of dreaded dacoit Ram Singh. Seven Years in Jail, Returned StrongerDuring his tenure as SP in Ud...

Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court has rejected the petition seeking to lift the ban on student union elections in the state. While acknowledging that student union elections are a democratic right, the court clarified that they cannot take precedence over the fundamental right to education. Justice Sameer Jain, during the hearing, directed the state government to frame a clear policy regarding the conduct of such elections. Petition Rejected, But Student Leaders Optimistic Although the court did not lift the ban, student leaders expressed satisfaction with the High Court’s decision. Niraj Khichad, a prominent student leader, stated that he welcomes the court’s directive to the government to formulate a policy. He expressed hope that any future policy would protect students’ democratic...

Barmer, Rajasthan: A seemingly simple love marriage in Barmer’s Gudamalani area has escalated into a violent family feud, leaving two people seriously injured. Police have arrested seven individuals, and separate cases have been registered on complaints from both sides. The incident occurred in Jiwanion Ki Dhani, where 25-year-old Shravan Singh married a local girl about two and a half years ago, against her family’s wishes. Tensions between the two families had been simmering ever since. On Friday, the conflict turned violent. According to reports, Shravan Singh’s elder brother, Uk Singh, went to the fields to inspect crops when the girl’s uncle, Dharm Singh, along with his associates, attacked him. Uk Singh was slashed with a knife, resulting in a severe injury to his nose. Upon...

Udaipur: The longstanding property dispute within the former Mewar royal family has resurfaced, intensifying tensions among the descendants of Maharana Pratap. The latest conflict arises over the will of Arvind Singh Mewar, bringing renewed legal battles between his children, Laxyaraj Singh Mewar and Padmaja Kumari Parmar. Historical Context of the Dispute The property disputes in the Mewar family date back decades. Initially, conflicts arose among the three children of Bhagwat Singh Mewar over inheritance and wills. After his death in 1984, disagreements escalated, culminating in a 37-year legal battle. In 2020, the Udaipur District Court ordered the division of the contested properties into four shares. Until the verdict, most assets remained under Arvind Singh Mewar, while the oth...

Jaipur: Success has a way of filling hearts with joy, and 17-year-old Geetali Gupta from Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, has given the perfect glimpse of this with her heartfelt reaction to the CLAT 2026 results. Geetali has achieved an extraordinary milestone by securing All India Rank 1 in the CLAT 2026 exam, scoring 112.75 out of 119 marks. Her achievement is not only a matter of personal pride but also a moment of immense happiness for her family and the entire state. Viral Video Captures Emotional MomentA video capturing Geetali’s reaction has gone viral on social media. In the clip, she is seen sitting in front of her home temple, nervously checking her roll number online. When her result appears on the screen, Geetali is visibly shocked, and her face lights up with pure joy and disbel...

Kota: Rajasthan Education and Panchayati Raj Minister Madan Dilawar’s visit to a MGNREGA worksite in Kota’s Ramganj Mandi assembly area turned into a delightful interaction with women workers, showcasing a lighter and relatable side of the minister. During the visit, Minister Dilawar sat down to share a meal with the women laborers and praised the home-cooked food they had prepared. So impressed was he with the taste that he humorously suggested that his wife should also learn to cook such delicious meals. He even asked the women how much they would charge to provide such training, making the conversation light-hearted and jovial. A video of this exchange, capturing the informal moment, has quickly gone viral on social media. Feedback on Government Schemes The minister also took t...

Jaipur: In a significant move to safeguard the welfare of minors, the Rajasthan government has implemented a new law prohibiting night work for adolescents aged 14 to 18. The ordinance, aimed at ensuring the safety and future of young workers, has received approval from Governor Haribhau Bagade and is now officially part of state legislation. Earlier, the permissible age for restricted work hours was 12 to 15 years. With the new ordinance, the age group has been expanded to 14–18 years, ensuring stronger protection for teenage workers in restaurants, hotels, factories, and other commercial establishments. Ordinance Passed Without Legislative Session The Rajasthan Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, was approved by the Governor following notification is...