Uttar Pradesh

Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh: In a major crackdown against tax evasion, the GST department conducted a high-profile raid in Sambhal, seizing undisclosed gold, silver, and diamond jewelry worth approximately ₹33 crore. The operation, which lasted nearly 21 hours, also resulted in a tax penalty of ₹1.20 crore being collected on the spot. Raid Targets Jeweler’s Showroom and ResidenceAccording to reports, the state tax department acted on intelligence indicating that some traders were exploiting rising gold and silver rates to carry out transactions without proper documentation. Based on these inputs, a probe was initiated under the direction of RA Seth, Additional Commissioner Grade-2 (Commercial Tax Discipline). After about a month of surveillance, a jeweler in Sambhal was identified for inv...

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: The Allahabad High Court’s Lucknow bench has taken a stern stance on the rising number of missing persons cases in Uttar Pradesh. The court has summoned the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) and the Director General of Police (DGP) to appear via video conference on March 23, directing them to submit all records and statistics related to missing individuals in the state. Bench Orders Comprehensive Record SubmissionThe directive was issued by a division bench comprising Justice Rajan Rai and Justice A.K. Chaudhary while hearing a suo motu public interest petition. The court emphasized that all records available with the state government regarding missing persons must be presented at the next hearing. Over 1.08 Lakh People Missing in Two YearsDuring the proceedin...

Lucknow: The construction of a new and modern headquarters for the Lucknow Municipal Corporation has officially begun in Gomti Nagar, behind the Fun Mall, within the Central Workshop campus. Designed on the grand architectural lines of the state’s prestigious Lok Bhavan, the four-storey building will be developed at an estimated cost of ₹160 crore and is expected to be completed within 16 months. To facilitate the project, the existing RR workshop is being temporarily shifted to another location, while demolition work has already commenced at the site. According to Atul Mishra, Executive Engineer (Zone 4) of the Municipal Corporation, the upcoming headquarters will be equipped with advanced facilities and dedicated office spaces for multiple departments, along with improved public se...

Noida: The tragic drowning of engineer Yuvraj Mehta in Sector-150 has prompted Noida authorities to strengthen water safety and disaster management measures in the district. Following this incident, the Police Commissionerate has approved the establishment of six new Water Police posts in sensitive areas to prevent accidents and ensure public safety during large gatherings. Under the direction of Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh, these posts will be strategically deployed across Noida’s three zones. In Noida Zone, the first post will be at Okhla Barrage, Sector-126, and the second near the Kalindi Kunj Yamuna Bridge. Central Noida will host a post at Kulesra, Eco-Tec-3, on the Hindon riverbank. Four posts in Greater Noida will be positioned at Knowledge Park’s Kambakshpur Yamuna Bank, Da...

Lucknow: Following the tragic deaths of three sisters in Ghaziabad, allegedly influenced by Korean culture and digital platforms, the Uttar Pradesh State Women’s Commission has taken serious cognizance of the issue. Dr. Babita Singh Chauhan, Chairperson of the Commission, has issued directives to all district magistrates to prohibit assigning homework or projects to students up to fifth grade via WhatsApp or any other mobile platforms. In her letter, Dr. Chauhan described the Ghaziabad incident as a grave warning for society and the education system. While online learning was a necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic, she emphasized that sending assignments over mobile apps in normal circumstances fosters digital addiction among children, particularly girls. She insisted that all academi...

Ghaziabad: The tragic deaths of three minor sisters in Ghaziabad, reportedly influenced by online games and Korean culture, have sparked nationwide concern. MP Atul Garg has stated that he plans to raise the issue of dangerous online games in Parliament, urging the government to ban harmful gaming apps and task-based platforms that negatively impact children. Atul Garg also advocated for the creation of a “Digital Safety Protocol” in India, similar to measures in other countries, to regulate online content and protect children. He had listed this issue during the Zero Hour in Parliament but was unable to raise it due to proceedings being adjourned amid disruptions. He plans to push the matter again to ensure government action. Meanwhile, Loni MLA Nandkishore Gurjar visited the bereav...

Greater Noida West: To ease traffic congestion between Gaur Chowk and Tigri, authorities have begun work on constructing two U-turns along the 60-metre-wide road. In addition, the service roads on both sides will be widened to improve traffic flow. The Greater Noida Authority (GNA) has stated that the project is expected to be completed by August. The initiative is set to benefit over 1.5 lakh residents from more than 20 nearby housing societies. With the upcoming launch of Noida International Airport, traffic on this route is expected to increase, particularly during peak morning and evening hours. The new U-turn near Khajur Chowk, before the Tigri roundabout, will allow vehicles to access Gaur City-2 more directly, eliminating the need to circle the roundabout. This is also expecte...

Lucknow: Residents of Uttar Pradesh’s capital were shaken on Friday morning as a 3.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Lucknow. According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the epicenter was located in Gonda at a depth of 10 kilometres. The tremors, felt strongly in the early hours of the day, prompted people to rush out of their homes. High-rise buildings in Lucknow swayed during the quake, although no damage has been reported so far. The earthquake comes days after a 5.9-magnitude tremor was recorded in Myanmar, which had also been felt in Kolkata and Dhaka, Bangladesh. NCS further reported additional seismic activity, including a 3.4-magnitude quake in Bageshwar, Uttarakhand, and a 4.4-magnitude tremor in China’s Xinjiang region. Impact Across the RegionThe effects of ...

Noida: The recent suicide case in Ghaziabad has once again raised alarm bells for parents and society, highlighting the growing concern of digital addiction among children. Experts warn that excessive screen time combined with parents’ busy schedules may leave children emotionally neglected, potentially weakening their mental health. According to Noida District Hospital, an average of three to five children and adolescents visit the facility every week with complaints related to digital addiction. Most affected are teenagers aged 14–19 years. Psychologist Dr. Swati Tyagi noted that prolonged mobile gaming and screen exposure are gradually isolating children from studies, family, and social life, impacting their behaviour, sleep, and overall mental well-being. Dr. Akanksha Arora, a ch...

Shamli, UP: In a major police action, a wanted criminal, Rehan, carrying a reward of ₹50,000, was killed in an encounter in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh. Rehan had over 90 cases registered against him across Delhi-NCR. This marks the second major police action in the state within 48 hours. During a routine check related to a robbery case near Jhijhana–Kaserwa Road, Rehan, who was fleeing on a bike after committing a loot, came face-to-face with police. When he saw the officers, he allegedly opened fire, prompting an encounter. In the exchange, one constable, Sumit Baisla, was injured. Rehan’s accomplice managed to escape. Police recovered two pistols—one made in Italy and another indigenous—along with the stolen mobile and cash. Police StatementShamli SP N.P. Singh stated that around 9 PM o...