Uttar Pradesh

Prayagraj: Jyotish Peeth Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati has strongly reacted to a notice issued by the Magh Mela administration questioning his use of the title “Shankaracharya.” Calling the move unjustified and beyond administrative authority, he asserted that only Shankaracharyas themselves can determine who holds the title — not the state government, not the Chief Minister, and not even the President of India. Speaking to the media, Swami Avimukteshwaranand said, “When the Shankaracharyas of Dwarka and Sringeri themselves acknowledge me as a Shankaracharya and have taken the holy dip with me, what more proof is needed? Will the administration decide whether I am a Shankaracharya? Will the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister decide? Or will the President of India? Even the...

Noida: A tragic accident occurred early Tuesday on the elevated road in Sector-49, Noida, when a luxury Jaguar car collided violently with a truck. The accident, which happened around 4:30 AM, claimed the life of 19-year-old Falak Ahmad and left three others seriously injured. According to police, the car was traveling from Bhangel towards Agapur at high speed. While attempting to overtake a Canter truck, the Jaguar lost balance and crashed into a truck ahead. The impact was so severe that the front section of the car was completely destroyed, leaving all four occupants critically injured. Occupants of the Jaguar The car carried four young people aged 18–19: Falak Ahmad (19) Ayush Bhati (18) Neel Pawar (18) Ansh (18) The injured were immediately rushed to a nearby...

Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh: In a unique initiative to promote girls’ education, District Magistrate Durga Shakti Nagpal of Lakhimpur Kheri has launched the innovative program ‘DM Kheri Ki Pathshala’. The initiative is aimed at implementing the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao vision of the central and state governments, bringing educational resources directly to every girl in the district. On Monday, DM Nagpal, along with local representatives, distributed ‘Vidyadayini Potli’ to 9,000 schoolgirls from council schools and Kasturba Gandhi residential girls’ schools. Each potli contained essential study materials including a whiteboard, study table, markers, and duster, enabling the girls to set up a small learning space at home. Objective of the InitiativeDM Nagpal explained that the aim of...

Prayagraj: Controversy surrounded Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati during the Magh Mela 2026, when a scuffle broke out between his followers and police at the Mauni Amavasya bathing ritual. The Shankaracharya was reportedly denied participation in the sacred bath, prompting him to stage a sit-in protest against the authorities. This is not the first time Swami Avimukteshwaranand has been involved in public disputes. Earlier, the Shankaracharya declined an invitation to attend the Ram Temple Prana Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya. He currently serves as the 46th Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth in Uttarakhand, succeeding Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati after his demise. Early Life and EducationBorn as Umashankar Upadhyay in Brahmanpur village, Patti Tehsil, Pratapgarh, Swami Avimukteshwar...

Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh: A chilling incident in Sarsawa town, Saharanpur, has left authorities and locals in shock. On Tuesday morning, a family of five was found dead in their rented home, with all victims showing gunshot wounds. The deceased include Ashok (40), his elderly mother Vidyawati (70), wife Anjita (35), and their two sons Kartik (16) and Dev (13). The gruesome discovery has raised questions: Was this a brutal mass murder, or did extreme mental distress lead to a family suicide? Background of the FamilyAshok, employed as a Sanchay Amin in Nakur Tehsil under a dependent quota after his father’s death, was reportedly a quiet and law-abiding individual. His sons were studying in classes 9 and 10. Neighbors describe the family as peaceful, with no known disputes or conflicts...

Noida, Uttar Pradesh: IAS officer Dr. Lokesh M, who served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Noida Authority, has been removed from his position and placed on a waiting list following a tragic incident in Sector-150. On the night of January 17, 2026, a software engineer drowned in a construction pit, prompting the Yogi Adityanath government to take swift action. The Chief Minister directed the removal of Dr. Lokesh M from his CEO post, and a three-member SIT has been formed under the supervision of ADG, Meerut Zone, including the Meerut Divisional Commissioner and Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department. The SIT will investigate the circumstances of the incident, departmental roles, negligence, and measures to prevent such occurrences in the future. About Dr. Lokesh MBorn...

Kasganj, Uttar Pradesh: A viral video from Kasganj has left many astonished after a group of youths was seen attempting to pull a crocodile out of a canal by its tail, putting their lives at serious risk. The incident reportedly took place a few days ago, but gained widespread attention after being shared on social media. According to eyewitnesses, the crocodile had been lying in the canal for some time, creating fear among local residents. In a reckless attempt to become a “hero,” one young man entered the canal and tried to drag the reptile to safety. Startled, the crocodile immediately flipped and swam back into the water. Instead of intervening, the bystanders filmed the entire incident. Public Reaction and Wildlife ConcernsWhile some social media users praised the youth’s braver...

The Prayagraj Magh Mela administration has issued a notice to Jyotishpeeth Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, raising questions about his use of the Shankaracharya title. The controversy arose when Swami Avimukteshwaranand was reportedly prevented from proceeding to the Sangam for the Mauni Amavasya bath in a palanquin. The Swami accused the administration of disrespect, while the authorities questioned the legitimacy of his claim to the Shankaracharya position. Details of the NoticeThe notice, issued by the Vice President of the Magh Mela Authority, references an ongoing Supreme Court case—Case No. 3010/2020, Jagat Guru Shankaracharya Jyotishpeeth PSSN Saraswati vs. SHN Saraswati’s Disciple Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati. Additionally, Civil Appeal No. 3011/2020, IA No. 1...

Hapur: An illegal firecracker manufacturing unit was unearthed during a police search operation in Fatehpur village of Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur district. The police recovered around 200 kilograms of gun cotton powder, nearly 2,000 candles made from explosive material, and several tools used in the making of firecrackers. One accused, identified as Nadeem, a resident of Ghaziabad, has been taken into custody, while a search is on to trace his associates. Deputy Superintendent of Police Varun Mishra said that the Babugarh police station team conducted a search operation at a house in Fatehpur village, where a large quantity of explosive material was found. “The seized material is commonly used in the manufacture of firecrackers. Nadeem is being interrogated, and efforts are underway to ident...

Noida: The tragic death of 27-year-old software engineer Yuvraj Mehta in Noida has sparked widespread outrage and raised serious questions about civic negligence and emergency response failures. Yuvraj drowned after his car fell into a water-filled pit dug for a mall project in Sector-150 late Friday night. The incident has triggered protests, administrative action, and a political storm reaching as far as Lucknow. Yuvraj’s family has squarely blamed “systemic negligence” for his death, alleging that he struggled for nearly two hours without effective rescue. Here are the five major updates in the case so far: 1. The Fatal Incident on Friday Night The accident occurred around midnight in Noida’s Sector-150. Due to dense fog and poor visibility, Yuvraj failed to notice a broken bou...