Uttar Pradesh

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...

Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh:A four-year-old eviction case came to fruition on Wednesday as revenue authorities in Sambhal carried out a large-scale bulldozer operation to remove illegal encroachments from 27 bighas of government land in Bicholi village. The action was led by the Naib Tehsildar, supported by four law officers and 20 revenue clerks, starting from the residence of village head Atik Ahmed. The walls of the village head’s property were demolished first, followed by the dismantling of other unauthorized constructions. Security and Crowd Management The village was effectively turned into a security zone during the operation, with police personnel and Rapid Action Force (RAF) deployed across key points. Riot control vehicles were also on site. While a few residents initially r...

Gonda (Uttar Pradesh):The transformation of Gonda District Hospital into a medical college appears impressive on paper, but the grim reality inside its wards tells a very different story. A viral video circulating on social media has exposed shocking conditions inside the Orthopaedic Ward, where rats can be seen roaming freely—raising serious concerns over patient safety and administrative failure. The disturbing footage shows rodents scurrying across the ward floor, climbing onto patients’ beds, and even running along the oxygen pipeline, a critical lifeline for seriously ill and injured patients. The visuals have sparked outrage, with many questioning whether the hospital is safeguarding lives or putting them at grave risk. Patients admitted to the orthopaedic ward—many with open w...

Sambhal (Uttar Pradesh):Despite a court directive ordering the registration of an FIR, the Sambhal police administration has indicated that no immediate case will be registered against ASP Anuj Chaudhary and more than 15 other police personnel accused of firing during communal violence linked to the Jama Masjid survey. Sambhal Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar stated that a judicial inquiry into the violence has already been completed and found no evidence of police firing. Instead, the inquiry concluded that 29 police personnel were injured due to stone-pelting and gunfire during the unrest. The police administration has decided to challenge the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s (CJM) order in the High Court. Police Deny Use of Firearm Linked to Injury Addressing the allegations, ...

Mathura (Uttar Pradesh):A serious case of negligence has come to light from an Anganwadi centre in Nagla Akha Alawal village under the Nainupatti Gram Panchayat of Mathura district, where beneficiaries were allegedly distributed rotten and substandard ration. Following complaints from villagers, the authorities have issued a notice to the Anganwadi worker and withheld her salary for one month. According to local residents, the ration distributed at the centre was unfit for consumption, emitting a foul smell and showing signs of decay. Angered villagers refused to accept the ration, alleging that they were being forced to consume food “as dangerous as poison.” The matter escalated quickly and was brought to the attention of higher officials. Two days ago, officials from the Child Deve...