Uttar Pradesh

:Speculation has intensified in Uttar Pradesh’s political circles following remarks by former Ayodhya MP Vinay Katiyar, hinting at his possible return to active electoral politics. After a recent meeting with BJP state president Pankaj Chaudhary, Katiyar openly expressed his desire to contest elections from Ayodhya, triggering debate over the Bharatiya Janata Party’s larger political strategy ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections and the 2029 Lok Sabha polls. When asked about contesting elections, Katiyar said, “Preparation is always there.” Addressing party workers, he added, “Ram Janmabhoomi is ours; it is natural that the drumbeat will sound from here.” His statement has been widely interpreted as a strong signal of political intent, sparking discussions on whether the veteran leader ...

:Marriage, traditionally regarded as a bond meant to last a lifetime, is increasingly proving fragile in today’s fast-changing social landscape. In Uttar Pradesh’s capital Lucknow, police stations and family courts are witnessing a steady rise in marital disputes—many of them triggered by seemingly trivial issues such as food preferences, clothing choices, daily expenses, and even sanitary pads. Cases that were once resolved within the four walls of a home are now finding their way into police complaints and courtrooms. Officials say the growing intolerance and lack of communication between couples are pushing relationships to breaking point far sooner than before. Family Courts Flooded With Cases According to officials at the Family Court in Lucknow, nearly 50 to 60 cases are reg...

:The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise has led to a sharp rise in passport applications across Uttar Pradesh, significantly increasing the waiting period for appointments at Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs). Where applicants earlier secured appointments within 10 to 15 days, the current waiting time has stretched to 20–25 days, officials said. Passports are being widely used as a valid document during the SIR process to establish citizenship, prompting a rush among voters to apply. As a result, Passport Seva Kendras in Lucknow and other districts have been witnessing unusually heavy footfall over the past few days. Under the jurisdiction of the Regional Passport Office (RPO), Lucknow, there are four Passport Seva Kendras and 32 Post Office Passport Seva Kendras, with the headquar...

The demolition of the Abdul Ghani Shah shrine located beneath the Gorakhpur Road overbridge in Deoria has triggered sharp political reactions and heightened communal sensitivities in the district. Acting on an order of the SDM court, the district administration on Sunday carried out a bulldozer operation, razing the structure that was allegedly built on government land without approved maps. Heavy police deployment was made in and around the site from early morning. Entry and exit routes were sealed, and the entire area was barricaded to prevent any untoward incident. Senior administrative and police officials, including the Joint Magistrate, remained present throughout the operation, which continued till late evening. ‘Threatened With Sambhal-like Case,’ Says Committee President ...

Lucknow/Jaunpur: Uttar Pradesh Minister AK Sharma made a strong statement in Jaunpur on Saturday, criticizing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA). He claimed that since its inception in 2005, the scheme had failed to deliver any meaningful results. Speaking to the media, Sharma said, “Even after 20 to 21 years, MNREGA has not resulted in the construction of proper roads or adequate water bodies. The scheme failed to make a real impact during the UPA government.” When asked about the last 11 years under the NDA government since 2014, Sharma clarified that his criticism was aimed at the UPA-era implementation. He added, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced revolutionary reforms in the scheme.” Empowering Rural India with the GI-RAM ActSharma high...

Prayagraj: The grandeur of Magh Mela 2026 at the Sangam in Uttar Pradesh is captivating visitors, with devotees and saints continuing the ritual bathing. Amidst the spiritual fervor, a young saint, Satua Baba, has caught everyone’s attention by arriving in a luxury Land Rover Defender worth ₹3 crore. Jagatguru Mahamandaleshwar Santosh Das, popularly known as Satua Baba, made a striking entry into the Magh Mela premises in this high-end vehicle, making him one of the most talked-about personalities at the fair. Be it the Kumbh in Prayagraj or the Magh Mela, saints, devotees, and people serving the event often become a part of the headlines. This year, Satua Baba is in the spotlight, not just for his spiritual presence but also for his style and luxury car. Despite being a young saint,...

Lucknow: A woman from Kanpur has accused a Special Disaster Response Force (SDRF) constable, stationed in Lucknow, of sexually exploiting her and defrauding her of lakhs of rupees under the pretext of marriage and property promises. Following her complaint, a case was registered at Hussain Ganj Police Station, and the accused has been arrested. The woman first came into contact with the constable, identified as Shobhit Bhalla, through a matrimonial app. During their communication, Bhalla promised to marry her. The relationship escalated to a physical encounter at a hotel. Alleged Fraud Over Property According to the victim, Bhalla extorted approximately ₹9 lakh from her, claiming he would help her secure a house in Lucknow. However, he began delaying the marriage and eventually st...

Aligarh: The Special Investigation Branch (SIB) of the Uttar Pradesh State Tax Department carried out a major operation in Aligarh on Friday, raiding six locations including the meat processing unit Al Dua Food Processing. Preliminary findings indicate potential GST evasion exceeding ₹200 crore. During the raids, the factory management immediately deposited ₹1.15 crore in taxes on the spot. Intensive investigations are ongoing at the factory and other sites. According to officials, simultaneous raids were conducted at meat units in Amarpur Kondla and Mehrawal areas near the Mathura bypass. The investigation revealed discrepancies between reported sales and actual transactions, with evidence of falsified Input Tax Credit (ITC) claims. The SIB team also discovered a warehouse that w...

Ayodhya: Security agencies detained a man on Saturday after he allegedly attempted to offer namaz inside the Ram Temple complex in Ayodhya. The incident occurred near the southern barricade of the temple premises and briefly drew the attention of devotees and security personnel. According to officials, the man was seen performing religious rituals at a restricted area of the temple complex. When people present at the site objected, he reportedly began raising religious slogans, prompting immediate intervention by security forces. He was subsequently taken into custody for questioning. The detained individual has been identified as Ahmad Sheikh, a resident of Shopian district in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. He is believed to be around 50 years old. Multiple security agencies are curre...

Unnao: The survivor of the infamous Unnao rape case has released another video appeal, accusing the daughters and supporters of convicted former MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar of deliberately exposing her identity and maligning her character on social media platforms. In the video, which surfaced on Saturday, the survivor alleged that a sustained campaign is being run to harass her mentally and socially by revealing her identity, despite legal protections granted to sexual assault victims. She said false narratives are being spread to defame her character and intimidate her into silence. “If They Have Evidence, Let Them Submit It to Investigating Agencies” The survivor questioned repeated claims made by Sengar’s family members that they possess “solid evidence” against her. “If they tru...