West Bengal

Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court has taken a significant step in the ongoing ED-I-PAC case, deciding to live-stream the hearing scheduled for January 14. This decision comes after previous hearings were disrupted by chaos in the courtroom. Only the lawyers directly representing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) will be allowed inside Court No. 5, while others can participate virtually. Previous Hearing Disruptions During the last hearing, Justice Subhra Ghosh had to adjourn proceedings due to disturbances in the courtroom. A large number of lawyers and other individuals entered the court, creating considerable noise and preventing the hearing from continuing. Despite repeated appeals to maintain order, the atmosphere remained unsuitable for judicial pr...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train running between Guwahati and Kolkata on 17 January, aiming to enhance connectivity in the northern Bengal region. The introduction of this service will give a major boost to travel and transport in the region, linking Guwahati and Kamakhya with Kolkata. Key Details of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express The government has unveiled the ticket prices, reservation quotas, and operational details of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express. This monthly service will operate on the Guwahati–Howrah route. One of the most significant features of this train is its booking system: passengers will not require RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) or a waiting list. From the first day of advance booking, all berths wil...

Kolkata:Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra has triggered a fresh political controversy with her sharp remarks on Hinduism and Hindutva, at a time when the electoral climate remains highly charged. Speaking at an event organised by the Calcutta Debating Circle on the theme “Hinduism Needs Protection from Hindutva”, Moitra described Hindutva as “harmful” and fundamentally opposed to the plural and inclusive nature of Hinduism. Elaborating on her argument, Moitra said that cultural and religious practices accepted within Hindu traditions are often rejected by proponents of Hindutva. “A meat-eating Bengali Hindu may offer meat to Goddess Kali, but a follower of Hindutva will say this is not right,” she remarked. According to her, this reflects a deeper attempt to impose a uniform inte...

Kolkata: In response to the recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on political consultancy firm I-PAC, the West Bengal government has filed a caveat in the Calcutta High Court, seeking to ensure that its views are heard before any orders are passed in the case. What is a Caveat? A caveat is a legal notice filed to ensure that a party is given an opportunity to be heard before any judicial order or decision is issued in a case. By filing this, the West Bengal government aims to protect its interests regarding the ongoing investigation. ED Raids and Allegations On Thursday, the ED conducted raids in Kolkata linked to a multi-crore alleged coal theft and money laundering case. The searches targeted I-PAC offices as well as properties linked to the firm’s director, Prateek Jain...

Kolkata, January 9, 2026: A 38-year-old man suffered a fatal heart attack while standing in a queue for the SIR (Socio-Identity Rectification) process in West Bengal on Thursday. According to his family, Ramzan Ali had been under significant stress ever since receiving an SIR notice, which they believe contributed to his death. Ramzan Ali, a driver by profession, had accompanied his mother, Salma Begum, to the Barasat Block 2 BDO office to get corrections made to his records under the SIR process. His cousin, Sheikh Ghulam Ali, stated that Ramzan fell ill after standing in the cold for a long time and collapsed on the ground. Local residents rushed him to the Sumberia Rural Health Center, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Salma Begum told reporters that Ramzan had been extr...