Uttar Pradesh

Agra, Jan 29, 2026: Agra police have uncovered an illegal factory producing counterfeit English liquor in Akola, under Kagarol police jurisdiction. Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the operation, and a large consignment of fake liquor, chemicals, and branded wrappers was seized. According to Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP), during a routine night check on Tuesday, Kagarol police stopped a black Scorpio near Lalaoo Pul in Akola. Three men – Naresh, Ummed, and Prashant – were apprehended, along with 74 cases of liquor in their possession. Following interrogation, the accused led the police to a warehouse at Satyaprakash’s residence, situated near the fields of Akola. They revealed that they mixed chemicals with spirits to produce counterfeit liquor...

Pune: Recent developments within Maharashtra politics had suggested the possibility of reconciliation within the Pawar family and a reunification of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). However, the sudden demise of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has cast uncertainty over these prospects. Political analysts note that Ajit Pawar was central to the entire process, and without him, reaching a consensus between the two NCP factions is expected to be far more challenging. Ajit Pawar had publicly stated that his primary political aim was to bring the two NCP factions together on a single platform. He also emphasized that this effort could only proceed with the guidance and blessing of Sharad Pawar, whom he credited for nurturing his political career and shaping his leadership style. Mai...

Residents of Uttar Pradesh will face a 10% increase in electricity bills for February, following an order from the State Power Corporation to recover additional charges under the fuel surcharge. This move is expected to place an extra financial burden on consumers. Reason Behind the HikeThe increase is aimed at covering extra power purchase costs incurred in November 2025. The Power Corporation claims that electricity was procured at ₹5.79 per unit, while the tariff approved by the Electricity Regulatory Commission was ₹4.94 per unit. Based on this difference, the fuel surcharge was applied to February bills. Consumer Council Raises ConcernsThe State Electricity Consumer Council has raised objections, questioning the methodology. Chairman Avadhesh Kumar Verma stated that such high el...

The land acquisition process for the proposed Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway in Uttar Pradesh has accelerated, with the registration of 69.57 hectares of land across 13 villages in Tehsil Sadar now officially halted. Preventing Unauthorized TransfersA special land acquisition officer of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Himanshu Verma, issued instructions to the first and second sub-registrars of Tehsil Sadar to immediately suspend land registrations in areas affected by the expressway. The move ensures that no transfers or sales take place until the acquisition process is complete. Farmers and landowners in the affected areas will receive fair compensation as per regulations once the process concludes. Scope and Alignment of the ExpresswayThe expressway’s new alignment...

Ghaziabad:In a horrifying incident from Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad district, a 32-year-old man has lost his ability to speak for life after his wife allegedly bit off his tongue during a domestic altercation, reportedly triggered by a dispute over social media activity. The incident occurred on the night of January 19 in Sanjaypuri Colony of Modinagar, sending shockwaves through the locality. Tongue Could Not Be Reattached The victim, identified as Vipin, was recently discharged from a hospital in Meerut. Doctors confirmed that despite emergency medical intervention, they were unable to reattach the severed portion of the tongue. Medical experts stated that even reconstructive plastic surgery would not restore normal speech, leaving the victim permanently speech-impaired. Fam...

Prayagraj:In a major crackdown on immoral trafficking, the Prayagraj Police have busted a sex racket operating from a rented house in the Kydganj police station area, barely a few kilometres from the ongoing Magh Mela 2026 venue. The police detained four women and four men, all residents of Prayagraj, after they were found in objectionable circumstances during a late-night raid. Second Such Case in 25 Days The incident has raised serious concerns as this marks the second sex racket exposure within 25 days in the same police station limits. Earlier, on January 4, a similar racket was uncovered in the Kydganj locality. Given the massive inflow of pilgrims and tourists during the Magh Mela, the incident has caused alarm among local residents. Raid Conducted on Tip-Off Accord...

Ghazipur:In a major action against the illegal trade of codeine-based cough syrup, the Ghazipur Police have temporarily seized properties worth ₹1.85 crore belonging to absconding accused Shubham Singh, officials confirmed on Wednesday. Shubham Singh, the owner of Nityansh Medical Agency, has been on the run for a long time in connection with the narcotics racket. Property Frozen Under Legal Provisions Providing details to the media, Superintendent of Police Eraj Raja said that the seized property is located in Dheerajotpur village under Bhudkuda police station limits. Although the property is registered in the name of the accused’s mother, Neelam Devi, investigations revealed that it was purchased using money earned from the illegal codeine syrup business. “The property has be...

Mathura:Panic and speculation spread among devotees after reports claimed that silver fittings had gone missing from the sanctum of the world-famous Thakur Shri Banke Bihari Temple. Several videos circulating on social media alleged theft of silver from the temple’s inner threshold, prompting the temple management to issue an official clarification. The temple authorities categorically denied any theft, stating that the damage to the silver was caused by chemical-based perfumes (itr) offered by devotees during worship. Chemical Reaction Led to Damage According to the management, nearly 10.5 kilograms of silver plating had earlier been installed on the sanctum doorway and threshold with the support of a devotee. As part of traditional devotion, worshippers frequently apply perfume ...

Varanasi:What began as a small grassroots experiment in a remote village of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency has today grown into a powerful movement of social transformation. The Green Brigade, a collective of rural women, is rapidly reshaping the social landscape of Varanasi and adjoining districts through courage, discipline, and collective action. From fighting drug addiction and gambling to preventing crimes against women and children, the Green Brigade has succeeded in achieving what years of strict law enforcement often failed to accomplish. Women Leading the Change Formed under the initiative of Hope Welfare Trust in 2015, the Green Brigade was conceptualised by young graduates from leading universities who sought to address deep-rooted social evil...

Lucknow:The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has announced the construction of a premium high-rise residential project in the heart of the city. The proposed 27-storey luxury apartment complex, ‘Aishbagh Square’, will come up on Mill Road in the Aishbagh area, offering modern housing in one of Old Lucknow’s most densely populated localities. According to official orders issued by LDA Vice-Chairman Prathamesh Kumar, online registration for the flats will remain open from January 29 to February 28, 2026, and applications will be accepted exclusively through the authority’s official website. Project Overview The project will feature 384 luxury apartments, each with an approximate carpet area of 1,900 square feet. Applicants will be required to deposit 5 per cent of the estimated f...