Uttar Pradesh

Prayagraj: In a dramatic turn of events at the Magh Mela, Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati staged a sit-in protest after being prevented from taking the holy Sangam bath in his palanquin during the Muni Amavasya festival. Reports indicate that the revered saint has abstained from food and water since the incident and will reveal his next course of action at a press briefing scheduled for Monday at 12 PM. Palanquin Block Leads to ChaosOn Sunday morning, the Shankaracharya, seated in his palanquin, arrived at Sangam Noj accompanied by his followers. As the crowd swelled for Muni Amavasya, police erected barricades, and officials stopped the Shankaracharya from proceeding on the palanquin, requesting him to disembark and walk the remaining 50 meters. This led to a confront...

Kanpur: In a shocking case of fraud and intimidation, a young woman from Kalyanpur, Kanpur, was duped of ₹71 lakh and precious jewelry after being lured with promises of marriage and an IAS selection. The suspects allegedly posed as a bank officer and later claimed that the victim had been selected for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). How the Scam UnfoldedThe accused, Divakar Mishra (alias Satyam), a family acquaintance of the victim, introduced her to Nitesh Pandey from Chakeri, who claimed to be a field officer at a government bank. Nitesh gradually gained her trust by promising marriage and asserting that he would soon be appointed as an IAS officer. His claims were allegedly supported by his brother Jitesh, sister-in-law Akanksha, and Divakar Mishra. The victim was first ...

Noida: Widespread anger has gripped Noida following the tragic death of a young software engineer, Yuvraj Mehta, who drowned after his car plunged into a water-filled pit dug for a residential basement. The incident has sparked protests, candlelight marches, and sharp criticism of the police, administration, and Noida Authority for alleged negligence. The fatal accident occurred near the Le Grandiose turn in Sector-150, an area residents now describe as a “death zone.” According to locals, the tragedy could have been prevented had authorities acted promptly after an earlier truck accident at the same spot nearly 15 days ago. Candle March and Residents’ Protest On Sunday, residents of nearby housing societies, including Tata Eureka Park, gathered at the accident site and held a can...

Budaun: A case of interfaith marriage has come to light from Uttar Pradesh’s Budaun district, where a Muslim woman, Noorvi, has converted to Hinduism, changed her name to Mahi Kashyap, and married her Hindu partner Rajkumar in a temple. Following the marriage, the couple has released a video on social media, alleging a threat to their lives and seeking police protection. The marriage reportedly took place on January 16 at a local temple. A video of the couple has since gone viral, in which Mahi Kashyap states that she married Rajkumar of her own free will, without any pressure or coercion. She expressed apprehension about her safety, claiming that both she and her husband’s family are facing threats from their relatives angered by the marriage. Claims of Threat from Family Members ...

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh is poised to witness a major surge in industrial activity, with investment proposals worth over ₹5 trillion set to be implemented on the ground in the near future. Making the announcement on Sunday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the state has entered a “golden phase” of investment, driven by policy stability, good governance and swift decision-making. The Chief Minister was addressing an event in the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) region, where land allotment letters were handed over to five major units. He said that over the last eight-and-a-half years, Uttar Pradesh has undergone an unprecedented industrial transformation and has moved beyond promises to become a symbol of tangible results. “From the Global Investors Summit, ...

Meerut: In a major breakthrough, Military Intelligence has exposed an inter-state recruitment scam in Meerut, where an organised gang was cheating unemployed youth by promising guaranteed selection in the Indian Army. The racket, active across multiple states, allegedly struck deals worth ₹15–20 lakh per candidate under the pretext of clearing Territorial Army recruitment exams. The operation came to light on Sunday during the written examination for the Territorial Army held at an Army School in Meerut. Acting on prior intelligence inputs, Military Intelligence teams were deployed around the examination centre. During routine verification, irregularities were found in the documents of several candidates. A detailed probe revealed that 19 aspirants were carrying forged admit cards. O...

Prayagraj, January 17, 2026: During the ongoing Kisan Kumbh organized by the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Tikait faction) at the Magh Mela in Prayagraj, farmer leader Rakesh Tikait surprised everyone with a hands-on approach. When preparations for the communal feast (bhandara) were delayed, Tikait personally entered the kitchen and started cooking a dish of potatoes, peas, and paneer. Hands-On Leadership Tikait, taking a spatula in hand, began stirring the vegetable curry himself in the makeshift kitchen of the Kumbh camp. Soon, other farmer leaders joined him to assist in the preparation, creating a warm and lively atmosphere that drew the attention of numerous workers and supporters. Security officials later escorted him out to maintain order. Engaging with Farmers for Hours Tikait ...

Sonbhadra, January 17, 2026: In a significant judicial intervention, the Special Judge under the SC/ST Act in Sonbhadra has ordered the filing of an FIR against five accused, including a contractor, in the murder of tribal resident Surajman Chero. The court has directed that the investigation be conducted under the supervision of the Circle Officer (CO), and the results be submitted to the court. Incident Details The case pertains to the alleged strangulation and killing of Surajman Chero approximately two months ago. According to the court order, on the night of October 8, 2025, four men from Gidhiyan village forcibly took Surajman Chero and his father under the pretext of securing work in a company in Maharashtra. When they resisted, they were beaten and dragged to Kon Bazaar, from...

Bhadohi/Frankfurt, January 17, 2026: At the prestigious Heimtextil-2026 fair in Frankfurt, Germany, Bhadohi carpets drew significant attention from European buyers, showcasing their artistry, durability, and intricate designs. While participation from American buyers was relatively subdued due to high tariffs, strong support from Europe has provided new hope for the Bhadohi carpet industry. Impact of US Tariffs According to exporters participating in the fair, the additional tariffs imposed by the United States on Indian products directly affected orders. Although demand in the US market remains, higher duties made buyers cautious, resulting in slower sales. Strong European Support Conversely, buyers from Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands showed keen interest i...