Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow: Chaos broke out at the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) headquarters in Lucknow on Thursday during a press conference addressed by party supremo and national president Mayawati. The incident occurred while Mayawati was speaking on the occasion of her 70th birthday, when smoke suddenly started emanating from the hall lights, triggering panic among attendees. According to reports, the press conference was underway in the party office when a technical malfunction caused smoke to rise from the lighting fixtures. The smoke quickly spread across the hall, causing alarm among party officials, workers, and members of the media present. Security personnel and event organizers acted swiftly, immediately concluding the press conference as a precaution. Mayawati, who was on stage, was safely e...

Kanpur: A major religious conversion racket has come to light in Ghatampur, Kanpur. The police have arrested Alvin from Kerala, who allegedly lured people into converting by promising financial benefits and claiming miraculous powers. According to local sources, Alvin misled people by asserting that his deity possessed powers capable of curing serious illnesses like cancer. The police recovered files, important documents, and a large quantity of promotional material from his possession. The Ghatampur police are currently investigating Alvin’s network and funding sources. Following complaints, Bajrang Dal activists raided a house in Nauranga where Alvin was conducting a prayer meeting, recording videos of the gathering. The police subsequently intervened and arrested Alvin, who had cl...

Sambhal: The controversy surrounding the Sambhal violence that occurred two years ago has resurfaced. The Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court recently ordered an FIR to be filed against 20 police officers, including then-ASP Anuj Chaudhary. Despite the court order, SP Krishna Kumar Vishnoi has stated that no case will be registered, citing that a judicial inquiry into the Sambhal violence has already been conducted. He also mentioned plans to appeal the order in the High Court. This is not the first instance of the Sambhal police refusing to comply with magistrate directives. In December last year, the police declined to register cases against an SHO and 12 other officers accused of falsely implicating a person in a robbery. That order was similarly issued by CJM Sudhir. Legal Experts ...

Prayagraj/Varanasi: On the eve of Makar Sankranti, a massive surge of faith and devotion swept through the holy cities of Prayagraj and Varanasi, with millions of pilgrims participating in sacred river baths. In Prayagraj alone, approximately eight million devotees took a dip at the Sangam and other prominent ghats, while Varanasi witnessed over two lakh devotees performing the ritual in the Ganga. Devotion and Celebration at the SangamFrom early morning, pilgrims from across the country thronged the Sangam, Naini’s Areil, Jhunsi, and other major bathing sites. Men, women, children, and elderly devotees filled every ghat, eager to perform the holy dip. The festival, blending spirituality and tradition, also saw devotees offering donations and visiting temples such as Akshayavat and Lete...

Lucknow: Dimple Yadav, the Samajwadi Party MP from Mainpuri and wife of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, celebrated her 48th birthday on 15 January. Social media platforms have been flooded with birthday wishes for her. Known for carrying forward the political legacy of her father-in-law, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Dimple Yadav represents the Mainpuri constituency, a seat repeatedly contested and won by Mulayam Singh Yadav. According to her affidavit filed during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Dimple Yadav’s total declared assets stand at approximately ₹15.50 crore. Interestingly, she does not own a car but has a penchant for gold and diamond jewelry. In December 2022, during the Mainpuri Lok Sabha by-election, her affidavit showed assets totaling ₹14.32 crore. This indicates a growth of ₹1.18 crore i...

Mathura: In a shocking case of crime under the guise of uniform, two PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary) personnel have been dismissed from service for their involvement in a robbery targeting a silver trader in Hathras. The accused, Narendra and Lakhmi, posted with the 15th Agra Battalion of PAC, are currently behind bars along with other accomplices. The incident, which took place on the night of January 5, unfolded like a scene from a thriller. Yogesh Kumar, a silver trader from Sadabad, Gopura in Hathras, had traveled to Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, on January 4 for business purposes. Around 2:30 AM the next day, as he arrived at Mathura Junction via the Patalakot Express and proceeded toward the parking area, he was surrounded by men in a car. Claiming to be police officers, the ass...

Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh:Spiritual leader Satua Baba, one of the most talked-about figures at Magh Mela 2026, has hit back at critics questioning his association with ultra-luxury vehicles, asserting that the assets symbolize the “prosperity and grandeur of Sanatan Dharma.” Recently, Satua Baba was seen travelling in a ₹3-crore Land Rover Defender, followed by appearances alongside a ₹5.5-crore Porsche, sparking widespread debate on social media. Many users questioned the compatibility of ascetic life with such luxury, prompting a sharp response from the saint. ‘Cars Belong to the Ashram, Bought with Devotees’ Donations’ Addressing the controversy, Satua Baba said that all the vehicles were purchased using donations from devotees and are registered in the name of the ashram, not i...

Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh:What began as a routine outing on New Year’s Day turned into a life-altering decision that left an entire family in shock. A 22-year-old youth from Raebareli, who told his family he was going to a church on January 1, instead travelled to Prayagraj’s Magh Mela, where he embraced ascetic life. The family learnt of the dramatic transformation not through a phone call—but via a WhatsApp status. The youth, identified as Amar Kamal Rastogi, had been missing for three days, triggering anxiety and frantic searches by his family. His mobile phone remained switched off, and relatives could provide no information about his whereabouts. When the phone finally became active, the family was stunned to see a WhatsApp update announcing that Amar had renounced worldly life and ...

Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh:The district administration intensified its crackdown on illegal encroachments in Sambhal as a large-scale bulldozer operation was carried out in Bichholi village, where more than 20 to 27 bighas of government land were found under unauthorized occupation. The action, conducted on Wednesday, led to the demolition of five illegal houses, creating panic among encroachers. The operation was carried out under heavy security arrangements. The entire village was converted into a security zone, with police personnel deployed at 15 strategic points, supported by a company of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) to prevent any law-and-order situation. Massive Administrative Deployment Two bulldozers were deployed along with a large revenue team comprising four Kanungos, 20 L...