New Delhi: Bengaluru-based businessman, CJ Ro died by suicide during an Income Tax raid.  Following his death, several questions remain unanswered. People have raised doubts about the circumstances leading to his death. There are also questions regarding the investigation process and the raids. 

What transpired during the IT raids?

There are several unanswered questions regarding this case. People are questioning as to how the entire case is being handled. They want to know whether all incidents surrounding the incident are being investigated thoroughly.

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According to a Times of India report, people are also questioning why a SIT was formed to investigate this case. They want to know its scope, independence and what direction the probe is going to take. There is also uncertainty regarding the circumstances inside the office of the businessman during the raids, and what exactly triggered him to kill himself.

The IT department has also not clarified whether they removed any digital documents, files or hard disks during the raid. Observers are keen to know what all was removed from the office by the IT sleuths and whether they found any incriminating evidence against the businessman.

Key moments during the IT raids, as to when it began, how long it continued and which areas of the office were checked first is also not known yet. The focus has clearly shifted from the raids to the death of the businessman.

Death of CJ Roy

Businessman CJ Roy who was the head of the Confident Group, shot himself dead at his Bengaluru office. Reports said that he had spoken to his mother just moments before killing himself. 

His family claimed that Roy was under tremendous pressure, following Income Tax raids at his 2 offices, one in Cochin and the other in Bengaluru. In fact he killed himself during an IT raid at his premises. He was about to be questioned by IT officials, when he requested that he wanted to talk to his mother. He went to his cabin and locked it from inside. 

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When he did not come out for some time, TA Joseph, Confident group MD went to check on him. He found the cabin locked and had to break open the door to get access. Inside he found Roy sitting in his chair with blood on his shirt. 

Joseph raised an alarm and the companies staff, called an ambulance. The paramedics found no pulse on Roy and he was immediately rushed to Narayana Hrudayalaya. However, by the time they reached the hospital, Roy was already dead. 

New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has hinted that the Noida International Airport at Jewar is likely to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, later this month. While addressing the media after the Union Budget on Sunday, he said that the airport was "ready" and is likely to soon receive the crucial aerodrome licence. It is in fact in its final stages of receiving the license, according to the CM.

Second international airport in NCR

The CM was quoted by Hindustan Times as saying, "I believe that this month, the airport will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister."

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Once it is operational, this airport will become the second international airport in NCR. It is likely to help decongest traffic at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. This will also be Uttar Pradesh's 5th international airport. The other international airports, in the state are Lucknow, Varanasi, Kushinagar and Ayodhya.

Officials confirmed that the only prerequisite now for the airport to get operational is the aerodrome licence. This they said will be issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

It is likely that the Union Minister of Civil Aviation, K Rammohan Naidu will meet the officials from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and the airport management later this week and try to resolve the pending issues. An airport official said that following this meeting, it is likely that the airport will be inaugurated by March.

All about Noida International Airport

The Noida International Airport is a project built through public-private partnership. It is built on approximately 1,300 hectares of land in Jewar, Gautam Budh Nagar. The project was awarded to the Zurich Airport International AG, and is being built by its Indian subsidiary, Yamuna International airport Pvt. Ltd. The project was awarded under a 40-year concession.

The foundation stone of this project was laid by PM Modi in November 2021.

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The first phase of the project, which included 1 runway and a passenger terminal were initially slated to be opened in September 2024, but the project has faced several delays since then and till now the airport is not operational. Initially the airport will handle 12 million passengers daily. The state government oversees this project, through the Noida International Airport Ltd.

The airport managed to conduct a calibration flight in October 2025, thus taking it a step closer to becoming operational. On October 31, 2025, an Air India aircraft landed at the airport, after conducting tests over several hours to validate navigation and communication systems. This is a crucial step before any airport becomes operational, said an official. This helps establish that the said airport meets all international safety standards, he added.

Hyderabad: Former BRS MLC and Telangana Jagruthi President K Kavitha said that SIT investigation into the phone-tapping case should be concluded quickly and that culprits should be punished.

Speaking at a press conference in the city, she stated that she expects former Chief Minister KCR to reveal what transpired in the SIT investigation and that it is wrong of KTR to find fault with the probe. 

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“It is not right for KTR to find faults about the SIT investigation. He spoke as if calling for an investigation is a crime. When you are in public life, there will be many issues. Everyone should respect the laws. Cooperate. I suspect that my phone and my husband's phones were also tapped.”

She further stated that if the SIT officials call her for an investigation, she would cooperate. Kavitha said that she appeared before the ED and CBI in the case related to Delhi excise policy scam, even though she did nothing wrong. “No one can save the BRS unless they change their way of thinking.”

Her comments come after KTR claimed that the phone-tapping investigation is frivolous and there was nothing to it.

Kavitha alleges match-fixing between Cong govt, Harish Rao:

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She alleged that the truth behind phone-tapping might never emerge as there is match-fixing between the Congress government and BRS MLA, T Harish Rao.  

Kavitha was suspended from the BRS in September 2025 after she accused her cousins T Harish Rao, J Santosh Kumar of spoiling the reputation of her father over Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project.

New Delhi: Bengaluru witnessed a triple murder case, where a 27-year-old man killed his parents and sister for money at the Kotturu town of the Vijaunagara district. The police have arrested the man and is conducting further investigation to the matter.

The accused have been identified as Akshay BJ and had killed the three to obtain fixed deposit of his father. After commiting the crime, Akshay filed a missing person's report to mislead the police.

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Police said that the Kottur resident killed his father Bhimraj H(52), Jayalakshmi J(50) and his sister Amrutha(18) on January 27. The accused then buried the bodies inside the house.

A fool-proof plan

During the investigation , Akshay falsely claimed that he killed the three to protect the family's honour, as his sister became pregnant. However, post-mortem reports confirmed that Amrutha was not pregnant.

The cops recovered the bodies from the house last Saturday, following which Akshay was arrested. The accused's uncle Vasanth Kumar(53) was arrested as he instigated Akshay to commit the murders.

How did an FD lead to a murder?

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The cops discovered that Bhimraj owned a duplex house in Harapanahalli, and he sold it for approximately Rs 1.5 crore. When Akshay demanded money for starting his own business, the father refused due to his  son's alcohol addiction. Bhimraj, instead kept Rs 50 lakh  in a Fixed Deposit (FD) in Amrutha’s name for her education, while retaining the rest.

The frequent fights and denial of money led to the cold-blooded murder of the family.

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) witnessed a decisive shift in its internal hierarchy on Monday. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Eknath Shinde–led Shiv Sena officially installed their top brass.

In a high-profile announcement at the civic headquarters, Borivali corporator Ganesh Khankar was designated as the BJP's party leader, while two-time Wadala corporator Amey Ghole was tapped to lead the Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction.

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BJP & Shinde Sena set new internal hierarchy

Addressing the media alongside senior leadership, Mumbai BJP President Ameet Satam clarified the alliance's logistical strategy. He confirmed that both parties would register separately at Konkan Bhavan today, effectively extinguishing rumours of a joint filing.

Mahayuti alliance strategy takes shape

Satam further fueled curiosity regarding the city’s top post.  He announced that the next Mayor of Mumbai will be chosen from the 118-strong Mahayuti contingent (comprising both BJP and Shinde Sena corporators), though he stopped short of naming a specific woman candidate for the role.

PMC political landscape: Dominance, opposition, and mayoral election preparations

While Mumbai’s leadership takes shape, the political spotlight also shines on the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), where the BJP is cementing its dominance following a landslide victory of 119 seats in the 165-member body. Ganesh Bidkar, a close confidant of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has been appointed Leader of the House.

Bidkar, who played a pivotal role in ward delimitation and ticket distribution despite a personal loss in the 2017 elections, was subsequently nominated as a corporator to lead the ruling party’s efforts.

The opposition in Pune has also mobilised their ranks ahead of the February 9 mayoral election.

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Congress has entrusted Ramchandra "Chandusheth" Kadam with the leadership role. Kadam, the nephew of the late minister Patangrao Kadam, maintains a formidable support base in the Kothrud assembly area through his associations with the Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute.

Also, the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) appointed Sopan alias Kaka Chavan as their leader last Friday, with Arvind Shinde and elected members submitting the official letter to the divisional commissioner.

New Delhi: Police in Ghaziabad busted a racket that fraudulently helped provide fake passports to at least 24 people. All the passports were issued on the same address and mobile number, officials said.

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According to police, the racket used a fake residential address and fraudulently obtained over two dozen passports from the Delhi Passport Office. Five people, including a postman, have been arrested by the police.

How racket came to light

The case came to light after the Regional Passport Officer wrote to the police in December last year, suspecting discrepancies in some applications. The officer flagged more than 20 applications in which multiple passports were issued on the same address and the same mobile number was used repeatedly.

Following the passport officer's letter, an investigation was initiated, in which it was found that the applicants never resided at the addresses mentioned in the passport applications, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rural) Surendra Nath Tiwari told PTI.

FIR filed; postman, 4 arrested

Based on the probe, an FIR was registered against 26 persons, including a postman and a woman. Five accused, including the postman, have been arrested so far, police said.

According to the DCP, the postman, identified as Arun Kumar, was also part of the racket and would charge Rs 2,000 per passport for delivering the documents directly to members of the gang instead of the listed addresses.

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Kumar told the police during interrogation that two members of the racket -- Prakash Subba and Vivek -- contacted him five months ago, and offered him to pay to Rs 2,000 for every delivery if he agreed to hand them over, police said.

Intelligence agencies are also probing the wider nexus behind the racket and further investigation is underway, police said.

New Delhi: In a shocking incident reported from Greater Noida, two men travelling in a car made obscene gestures at women travelling in another car. The incident left the women shocked and uncomfortable. The video of the entire interaction was recorded and has since gone viral.

Police arrest 2 for making obscene gestures at women

The police have arrested 2 men in the case, one of them being the SUV driver who was seen blowing kisses to the woman. The video of the incident shows the men following the woman's car, who was travelling with her family. The incident happened on Parthala Bridge in Greater Noida.

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Once they were in close sight, they began to harass the woman. They made lewd comments and blew flying kisses to the lady, despite repeated objections from other family members travelling in the woman's car. The entire incident left the woman shaken and also led to massive outcry amongst the public.

The men were travelling in a red-coloured MG Hector car. The man who recorded the incident managed to capture the vehicle number as well. He is heard saying, "Look, this man is drunk. We are travelling with our family. This is the vehicle number. He is behaving badly. A woman is seated in our vehicle."

However despite being recorded, the accused continued with their acts. They continued to wave at the car and made obscene gestures at them. Even other people passing by and those who saw the video raised objections at the actions of the men in the SUV.

After the video went viral on social media, the police took action. They swiftly arrested the 2 accused in the case. The incident happened within the jurisdiction of Phase 3 Police Station in Gautam Buddha Nagar. The police have also seized the SUV that the men were driving.

Netizens raise concerns about women safety

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After the video of the incident went viral, several netizens took to social media to raise objections at the deteriorating law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh. Several people tagged the Noida Police and Uttar Pradesh Police in their posts.

The people called the entire act, blatant harassment of women and called for accountability. They demanded strict action against the accused. While some highlighted the lack of decency amongst people and the lack of women's safety in the state, others talked about how the craze for making reels was causing several accidents on the roads, these days.

New Delhi: The normally crisp Arabian Sea skyline was obscured on Wednesday as haze settled over large parts of Mumbai, lingering well into the forenoon and unsettling residents, pedestrians and daily commuters along the coastal stretch.

The situation was particularly pronounced in south Mumbai and other coastal pockets, where high humidity combined with suspended particulate matter to form a dense smog layer that reduced visibility and caused discomfort.

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According to the Sameer App, prolonged exposure to such polluted air can aggravate respiratory ailments, trigger people with asthma, and cause distress among those with heart and lung conditions, as well as the elderly and children.

Coastal haze raises alarm

The episode has highlighted a growing concern over worsening air quality even in traditionally better-ventilated coastal zones of Mumbai, pointing to the need for sustained pollution-control measures and stronger public awareness.

Marine Drive loses its sparkle

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The smog-covered view of Marine Drive stood in sharp contrast to its usual postcard-perfect scenery, offering a stark visual reminder of the environmental challenges facing the country’s financial capital.

AQI moderate in neighbouring cities

Air quality concerns were not limited to Mumbai alone. In nearby regions, Thane recorded an AQI of 102, Kalyan reported 143, and Navi Mumbai stood at 121. These levels fall under the ‘moderate’ category and may lead to breathing discomfort, the Sameer App noted.

New Delhi: Business leaders across India were stunned after Confident Group Chairman Dr CJ Roy died by suicide at his Bengaluru office on Friday. According to police, the business tycoon shot himself with his licensed pistol inside the office premises in Anepalya.

The incident came to light after office staff alerted authorities and called them at the scene. The Income Tax Department had been conducting searches for the past three days. Reports say that the searches were a part of a larger raid which was carried out last month. The IT officials have scrutinised and seized certain documents.

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Is this a case of abetment to suicide?

According to the Income Tax officials, the assets owned by Roy was disproportionate to hisknown sources of income. The cops have not yet confirmed that whether the case could be treated as an abetment to suicide .

As of now, no case has been registered against the IT officials. However, the Managing Director of the company has lodged a complaint of unnatural death. The cops also claimed that they may also file a fresh FIR if the deceased family members wishes to, Times of India reported.

Roy's brother accuses IT for his death

Roy was married and is survived by two children a son and a daughter, both in their early twenties. The family lives in Dubai and is expected to arrive in Bengaluru on Saturday. Roy's mother resides near Nexus Mall in Kormangala, the business leader rarely stayed with her. Instead, he opted for five-star hotels during his visits to the city.

Roy's brother CJ Babu alleged that Roy was worried about the IT raids and accused the officials of driving him to suicide.

The Briefcase

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Questions have also emerged about the importance of Roy's briefcase. A person familiar with the matter said that Roy always kept his briefcase close to him. It contained a pistol and his documents. At times, when Roy used to forget about the briefcase, he would sent his bodyguards to fetch it for him. "He was not a weak-hearted person", TOI quoted a person as saying.

Confident Group, founded in 2005, is a famous real estate and infrastructure developer with projects covering residential apartments, villas, commercial complexes and mixed-use developments. Over the past two decades, the company opened its branches across Karnataka and other parts of India, building a sizable portfolio and a strong brand in the mid-segment and premium housing markets. Roy was widely regarded as a hands-on entrepreneur who played a central role in shaping the company’s growth strategy and operations.

New Delhi: A senior real estate executive was found dead with a bullet injury at his central Bengaluru home on Friday, even as the Income Tax Department was carrying out searches at premises linked to his company, police officials said.

CJ Roy, 57, chairman of the Confident Group, was discovered injured at his bungalow in Langford Town, according to deputy commissioner of police (central) Akshay Hakay.

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Roy was initially taken to a nearby private hospital and later shifted to the Narayana Hospital in HSR Layout, where doctors declared him “brought dead”. Police said the exact circumstances leading to his death remain unclear.

Police probe into possible self-inflicted injury

Investigators are examining whether Roy may have shot himself, police officials said, adding that all possibilities are being looked into. Details regarding the weapon involved and the sequence of events are yet to be established.

Income Tax searches underway

At the time of the incident, the Income Tax Department was conducting searches at multiple locations connected to the Confident Group, police confirmed. Officials said the searches were part of an ongoing tax investigation.

The Bengaluru-based developer has operations across several southern states, including Kerala. The group has earlier faced Income Tax Department searches and has been involved in long-running tax disputes, including assessment and appeal cases before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal and the Karnataka High Court.

Links to Malayalam film industry

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Roy, a native of Kochi in Kerala, also had ties to the Malayalam film industry. He produced films, including the 2012 Mohanlal-starrer “Casanova”, and the Confident Group had served as title sponsor for multiple seasons of the Malayalam television reality show “Bigg Boss Malayalam”, hosted by Mohanlal.

Police said further investigation is under way to determine the cause of death and the surrounding circumstances.

New Delhi: Mohandas Pai, the Padma Shri awardee and former Infosys CEO, has expressed his displeasure through social media messages regarding the lack of government buses and public transport system in Karnataka. It has angered Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, and a war of words has begun again between the two sides.

Pai attacks Karnataka public transport system

Pai took to X and said that there has been a shortage of transport buses in the state for the last three years. He has accused the government of completely failing to provide an effective public transport system.

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Addressing Transport Minister Reddy, Pai said the failure was due to the superstitious attitude that only public sector undertakings (PSUs) work. He added that people need a good transportation system, and they have appealed to allow private bus services to overcome this shortage.

Not just Pai

Earlier, eminent people, including Pai and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, had expressed their dissatisfaction over potholes on the roads in the state. Pai cited the shortage of BMTC buses, damage to buses due to deteriorated roads, and the inadequate transport system for Bengaluru's growing population. Their main demand is that private bus services should also be allowed in Bengaluru.

Reddy slams Pai's statements

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Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has slammed Pai's statements. He questioned whether Pai is willing to come for a discussion with the BMTC Managing Director or would he just continue to publish messages on X, formerly Twitter. Stating that Shakti is not just a project, but also economic empowerment, the minister informed that Karnataka currently operates 26,054 buses, serving 45 lakh passengers daily in Bengaluru.

He challenged Pai to show whether there is a similar public transport service in BJP-ruled states. Notably, BJP MLA Sunil Kumar had said on Thursday during the Assembly session, "This is not a listening government, this is a conflicting government."

New Delhi: A five-member family allegedly consumed poison at a housing society in Uttar Pradesh’s Greater Noida. The couple died, while their three children were hospitalised and are undergoing treatment.

The family lived in Sadullapur village in the Ecotech-3 area. The deceased have been identified as Shravan (40) and his wife Neelam (38). The couple had three children aged 10, 8, and 4. Preliminary reports suggest the couple may have taken the step due to alleged familial strains.

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What led the couple to take such harsh step

The incident came to light when the eldest daughter woke up and found her parents unconscious. Despite feeling weak and suffering from stomach pain, the minor informed neighbours. Upon discovering the situation, the neighbours alerted the police, The Times of India reported.

When the police reached the spot, all five family members were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital. Doctors declared Shravan and Neelam dead on arrival. The three children are reported to be recovering well and have since been shifted to a hospital in Delhi.

Investigations underway

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According to the police, the bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination, and further investigation is underway. The autopsy reports are expected to ascertain the exact cause of death and guide the probe.

A relative alleged that he was informed on Thursday that the couple was unwell. When he reached the spot, he found that the family had already been shifted to the hospital, where the couple was declared dead on arrival. He claimed the couple appeared happy and said he was unaware of any possible strains in their lives.

The Civil Aviation Ministry has officially broken its silence on the aviation tragedy that claimed the life of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, providing a chilling timeline of the flight’s final moments.

In a formal response to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Ministry confirmed that investigators have successfully recovered the aircraft’s "Black Box," the critical flight data recorder that holds the key to understanding the Wednesday morning disaster.

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The investigation begins

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has been tasked with a "thorough, transparent, and time-bound" inquiry into why the Learjet 45 plummeted to the ground in Baramati.

"The black box has been secured for detailed analysis," the Ministry stated, adding that every technical record and operational detail is being scrutinised. The government also assured CM Fadnavis that it is taking his request for future preventive measures seriously to ensure that such a high-profile tragedy never recurs.

A timeline of the crash

The Ministry’s report sheds light on the harrowing final communication between the cockpit and the ground. The Learjet 45 was attempting to land at Baramati Airport, a facility classified as "uncontrolled," where Air Traffic Control (ATC) is manned exclusively by pilot cadets from local flying schools.

According to the release, the flight crew initially reported that the runway was "not in sight." Moments later, the crew confirmed they had established visual contact with the runway.

At 8:43 AM,  the ATC granted formal clearance for the aircraft to land, and at 8:44 AM,  just sixty seconds after receiving clearance, the ATC watched in horror as the plane erupted in flames, the release said.

A state in mourning

The crash resulted in five fatalities, wiping out everyone on board the chartered flight. The victims were identified as Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Vidip Jadhav, Pawar’s personal security officer, Captain Sumit Kapur, pilot-in-command, Captain Shambhavi Pathak, first Officer, and  Pinky Mali, flight attendant.

The significance of the Black Box

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With the recovery of the device, investigators hope to reconstruct the technical health of the Learjet 45 during its descent. As a "device designed to capture and store important data during flight," the Black Box will reveal if mechanical failure, weather, or human error played a role in the one-minute window between clearance and catastrophe.

The Civil Aviation Ministry has committed to sharing the final findings of the AAIB probe with the Maharashtra government as soon as the analysis is complete.

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Thursday refused to grant bail to three accused in the larger conspiracy case related to the 2020 Delhi riots, Salim Malik, Athar Khan and former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain.

Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai dismissed the bail applications after hearing arguments from both sides, holding that the accused were not entitled to relief at this stage.

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Bail sought on parity grounds

The three accused had approached the court after the Supreme Court earlier this month granted bail to five other individuals booked in the same conspiracy case. They argued that they were facing similar charges and should therefore be given the benefit of parity.

The court, however, did not accept this contention and declined to extend bail.

Charges under UAPA

All three accused are facing charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for their alleged role in the February 2020 riots in northeast Delhi.

Athar Khan, a former call centre employee, has been accused of being one of the key organisers of the protest at Chand Bagh and of allegedly making inflammatory speeches at the site.

Allegations by police

According to the Delhi Police’s Special Cell, Athar took part in secret meetings during which he allegedly said that the "time has come to burn Delhi" and played a role in coordinating the damage to CCTV cameras.

Salim Malik is also named among the alleged organisers and speakers of meetings held in connection with protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Other accused and Supreme Court orders

Police have listed 11 alleged organisers and speakers in the case, including Mohammed Saleem Khan, Salim Malik, Mohammed Jalaluddin alias Guddu Bhai, Shahnawaz, Furkan, Mohammed Ayub, Mohammed Yunus, Tabassum, Mohammed Ayaz and his brother Khalid.

On January 5, the Supreme Court granted bail to five accused — Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd Saleem Khan and Shadab Ahmad. However, it denied bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, observing that all accused do not stand on the same footing.

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The top court said there was a prima facie case against Khalid and Imam under the UAPA.

Of the 20 accused named in the case, two are still absconding. Among the remaining 18 who have sought bail at different stages, seven continue to remain in jail, including Khalid, Imam, Athar Khan, Salim Malik, Tahir Hussain, Tasleem Ahmed and Khalid Saifi.

New Delhi: Pinky Mali was a flight attendant who was on the ill fated Learjet 45 XR aircraft, which crashed in Maharashtra's Baramati on Wednesday. The young flight crew died, along with 4 others, including Maharashtra's Deputy CM Ajit Pawar in the airplane crash. Now her family is trying to come to terms with the loss.

Mali told family about aircraft facing issues during landing

Following the crash, her family claimed that Mali had told them about the aircraft facing issues during landing. They claimed that the reference regarding the issues with landing were made in passing. This is however now part of the probe in the matter.

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Just a day before the crash, Mali informed her family that she would be on the same chartered flight as Pawar. She said that after landing in Baramati, she would head to Nanded. Her father said, "Yesterday she told us about her schedule. Everything was normal." He however said that their world fell apart on Wednesday morning, when the news of the crash flashed on television.

Mumbai Mirror quoted her brother as saying that she was a fearless girl, but once she said that chartered flights sometimes faced problems while landing. But he claimed that this remark was made just in passing and she did not display any fear of flying.

Deeply committed to profession

According to her family, Mali was deeply committed to her profession. Initially she worked with an international airline and then with Akasa Air. Later however an accident derailed her career. But, they said, she was not the one to easily give up.

After her accident she once again began her training and about a year back, joined VSR Venture. They said that she was proud to be back in the skies.

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Her family claimed that Mali was passionate about her profession and she also wanted to support aspiring students who wanted to enter the aviation and hospitality sectors. Her brother, Karan Mali said that his sister knew that training courses were extremely expensive and therefore she wanted to financially support aspiring students, once she was herself stable in her career.

The flight that crashed in Baramati, the Learjet 45 XR, was operated by a Delhi-based company, VSR Ventures. Following the death of the Deputy CM (Pawar), a high-level probe has been launched in the aircrash.

New Delhi: In a nightmarish incident in Bengaluru, domestic staff have allegedly stolen valuables worth nearly Rs 18 crore from a businessman. The alleged crime took place when the victim was away from home, and he discovered the theft after returning to his residence.

House staff rob businessman

The victim, 28-year-old Shimanth S. Arjun, has filed a complaint stating that his domestic staff pulled off a calculated burglary when his house was empty. It says that Dinesh and his wife Kamala, along with other unknown people, worked as household help at his home. As per the police, the accused allegedly tracked the movements of the family while being employed at the house.

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Valuables worth Rs 18 crore stolen

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On January 25, the victim, along with his mother and wife, left home to attend a Bhoomi Pooja. In the meantime, the accused allegedly broke open lockers and took the family’s lifetime of savings. The complaint adds that the accused fled with around 11.5 kg of gold and diamond jewellery, almost 5 kg of silver ornaments, and Rs 11.5 lakh in cash, with the total value of the possession standing at around Rs 18 crore.

Lockers opened with iron rod

At around 12.38 pm, a domestic worker called up Arjun and informed him about the theft. The family found, upon returning, that the lockers in the house had been opened using an iron rod. The Marathahalli police have booked the accused under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, Sections 306 and are probing to trace the stolen items.

Cyberabad Police cracked down on Chinese Manja and held special drives across Kukatpally, Miyapur, Madhapur, KPHB, Jeedimetla, to remove the glass-coated thread from the roads, trees, power lines with the support of GHMC workers.

Shops selling kites and Manja were inspected and awareness programs were held for school students.

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Chinese Manja poses a serious risk for two-wheelers, pedestrians, birds and animals. The manufacture, sale, storage and usage is a banned and is a punishable offence, police said.

Police urged the public to report any sale or use of banned manja to local police and dispose it off if they come across it.

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Five-year-old loses life after manja entangles around her neck:

On January 26, a five-year-old child was killed after a Chinese Manja slit her throat in Kukatpally area of the city. The child was traveling with her parents on a two-wheeler, when a manja got entangled around her neck, causing severe injuries. She bled profusely and succumbed to her injuries during treatment.

New Delhi: The Karnataka government is considering extending Bengaluru's Namma Metro network to Doddaballapur as part of a revision of the city's Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP), a move expected to benefit commuters from the city's northern outskirts and ease traffic congestion.

Revenue minister Krishna Byregowda informed the state assembly on Tuesday that the proposal to extend metro connectivity to the fast-growing industrial suburb was under active consideration and would be examined during the ongoing revision of the CMP, which was originally prepared in 2020.

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Govt already initiated the process

Responding on behalf of deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar to a question raised by Doddaballapur BJP MLA Dheeraj Muniraju, the minister said the government had already initiated the process of updating the long-term transport blueprint for the city.

"The proposal to extend Metro services up to Doddaballapur can be considered while revising the Comprehensive Mobility Plan. Once the revised plan is ready, it will be placed before an expert committee for detailed examination," Byregowda said.

Doddaballapur, located about 40 km from Bengaluru in Bengaluru Rural (North) district, has witnessed rapid industrial and residential growth in recent years. A 5,400-acre KWIN (Knowledge, Wellbeing and Innovation Network) City project and the presence of global electronics major Foxconn, which is expected to generate over 45,000 jobs, have increased population and commuting demand in the region.

What happened to earlier draft

An earlier draft of the CMP had proposed a 26-km metro corridor connecting Yelahanka to Doddaballapur via Rajanukunte, but the plan was later dropped and did not feature in the final approved document.

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During the assembly discussion, Muniraju reiterated the demand for reviving the proposal, citing rising housing development, industrial activity and daily commuter traffic from the region.

Byregowda also outlined the status of other metro expansion projects, noting that metro connectivity to Kempegowda International Airport under Lines 2A and 2B is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. While Phase 3 and Phase 3A of Namma Metro have already been approved, the Doddaballapur corridor is not part of the current expansion plans.

New Delhi: As the nation prepares for the grand finale of the Republic Day festivities, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and Delhi Traffic Police have issued a comprehensive security advisory for the Beating Retreat Ceremony 2026. Commuters and motorists navigating Central Delhi on January 28 and 29 should brace for temporary station closures and significant traffic diversions.

Specific metro gates to remain closed

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To facilitate stringent security arrangements, specific exit gates at two of the city's busiest interchanges will be shuttered for four hours. The exit gates facing Rafi Marg at the Udyog Bhawan and Central Secretariat metro stations will remain closed from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

"Due to security arrangements for the Beating Retreat Ceremony 2026, exit gates of Udyog Bhawan and Central Secretariat Metro Stations towards Rafi Marg will remain closed on 28th & 29th January 2026, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Passengers are advised to plan their travel accordingly and follow station announcements. #DelhiMetro," the post read.

While the stations themselves remain operational, the DMRC has urged passengers to plan for extra travel time. Furthermore, enhanced security screenings are currently in effect across the entire Delhi Metro network and will continue through January 29. 

Traffic diversions in effect at Vijay Chowk

The Delhi Traffic Police has announced a near-total lockdown of the area surrounding Vijay Chowk to accommodate the rehearsals and the final ceremony. According to the traffic police, the Vijay Chowk will be completely closed to general traffic.

They said that the movement will be prohibited on Kartavya Path (between Vijay Chowk and the Rafi Marg crossing), Raisina Road (beyond the Krishi Bhawan and Dara Shikoh Road roundabouts), and stretches leading from the Sunehri Masjid and Krishna Menon Marg roundabouts.

While the main restrictions align with the ceremony, rehearsals on January 28 will see curbs enforced from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

The drivers have been encouraged to bypass the city centre using alternate corridors, including Ring Road, Ridge Road, Aurobindo Marg, Safdarjung Road, and Rani Jhansi Road.

Beating Retreat ceremony 2026: Rehearsals and tickets

The Beating Retreat ceremony, held annually at Vijay Chowk on the evening of January 29, serves as the formal conclusion to Republic Day celebrations. This year’s schedule includes a Full Dress Rehearsal on January 27, followed by the primary event on the 29th.

How to attend

For those wishing to witness the spectacle, tickets are available through the official Aamantran website. Physical ticket booths have also been established at six locations across the capital.

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Pro-tip for attendees

You must produce an original Photo ID (Aadhar, PAN, Voter ID, Passport, etc.) at the time of purchase. Crucially, the same ID used to buy the ticket must be carried to the venue for entry into any of the three main events (Republic Day, the Full Dress Rehearsal, or the main Beating Retreat Ceremony).

Baramati/ New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke personally with veteran leader Sharad Pawar on Wednesday to convey his condolences following the tragic demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The senior NCP leader was killed earlier that morning when his aircraft crashed-landed in Baramati.

According to the reports, Ajit Pawar was travelling to his stronghold of Baramati to address a public rally ahead of the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections. The ill-fated aircraft, a Learjet 45 operated by VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd, was originally scheduled for a 7:00 AM departure. However, the flight was delayed, eventually taking off at 8:10 AM.

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The tragedy unfolded shortly after, with Air Traffic Control (ATC) receiving the harrowing news of the crash at 9:12 AM. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), there were no survivors. The crash claimed a total of five lives, including Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, two of his personal staff members, and two crew members.

"A leader of the people": PM Modi’s tribute

Before speaking with Sharad Pawar, the Prime Minister took to X (formerly Twitter) to pay a heartfelt tribute to the departed NCP leader and Maharashtra deputy CM.

"Shri Ajit Pawar ji was a people's leader who had a strong bond with the people and a deep connection with the grassroots. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality who always remained at the forefront in the service of the people of Maharashtra. He had profound knowledge of administrative matters. His passion for the empowerment of the poor and the deprived was particularly noteworthy. His untimely demise is extremely shocking and deeply saddening. Heartfelt condolences to his family and countless admirers. Om Shanti," the PM  posted on X.

Tributes pouring in from across party lines

The news has unified a fractured political atmosphere, with tributes pouring in from across party lines. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) also issued an official statement, mourning the "unfortunate and tragic" loss of a leader with a "long and influential public life."

“The sudden demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Shri Ajit Pawar in a plane crash today is deeply unfortunate and tragic. He had a long and influential public life. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh offers its heartfelt tributes and prays to God to grant peace to his soul. Om Shanti,” an official statement read.

Investigation and final rites

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The focus has now shifted to determining the cause of the disaster. A specialised team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has already arrived in Baramati to begin a thorough probe. Investigators have also visited the offices of VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd to examine maintenance records and flight logs.

Maharashtra prepares to bid a final farewell to its Deputy CM tomorrow, Thursday. The last rites are scheduled to be performed at approximately 11:00 AM at the Vidya Pratishthan ground in Baramati. Thousands of supporters and dignitaries are expected to gather to pay their final respects to the Maharashtra deputy CM.

New Delhi: A popular cafe in Bengaluru has sparked a social media debate after putting up a notice banning "long meetings" on its premises, warning customers of a Rs 1,000 charge for every additional hour spent beyond the stipulated time.

The post, captioned, "Saw this notice posted at an eatery in Bengaluru", garnered nearly 40,000 views.

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Customers occupying seats for hours

The notice, which has gone viral on social media, read, "No meetings allowed. Meetings lasting more than 1 hour will be charged at Rs 1000 per hour." The cafe management said the move was prompted by customers occupying seats for hours after ordering just a cup of coffee, leaving no space for new patrons and impacting business.

The move has triggered mixed reactions. While several users supported the cafe's stance, arguing that prolonged occupancy hurts small businesses, others said Bengaluru's long commute times and small living spaces make cafes a convenient place to work.

Netizens support cafe

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"Cafes are meant for business, not as free co-working spaces," wrote one user. Others justified the decision amid rising rents and maintenance costs in the city.

Another user wrote, "Have seen this in so many eateries and cafes - people will sit, chat for hours and not buy any drinks or food. Feel sorry for cafe owners."

Mumbai: The political corridors of Maharashtra are buzzing with speculation as Sanjay Raut, a key leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT), delivered a stinging prediction on Tuesday. Raut predicted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to install its own Mayor in Mumbai, effectively snubbing its ally, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

Despite the BJP-Sena alliance securing a victory in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections nearly two weeks ago, the city’s top post remains a bone of contention. 

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The "Sulking" Ally

Speaking to the press, Raut claimed that while the Shinde faction is "sulking" over the prospect of losing the Mayor’s chair, they are powerless to change the outcome. "They ( BJP) will have their Mayor in Mumbai," Raut asserted. He suggested further that Shinde’s party would be given minor secondary posts after discussions with the BJP’s central leadership.

This comes as a significant blow to the Shinde-led Sena, whose leaders have argued that the Mayor should come from their ranks to honour the 2026 birth centenary of the late Bal Thackeray, the founder of the undivided Shiv Sena.

The numbers game

The January 15 BMC elections resulted in a fractured mandate for the 227-ward body, though the BJP emerged as the clear heavyweight. The BJP emerged as a major party with 89 seats, Shiv Sena (UBT) 65 seats, Shiv Sena (Shinde) 29 seats, Congress: 24 seats and MNS 6 seats.

With no single party reaching the majority mark, the alliance dynamics are crucial, but the BJP’s 89 seats give it a dominant hand over Shinde’s 29.

The lottery and the "Marathi-Hindu" strategy

All eyes are now on the Urban Development Department at Mantralaya, where a lottery draw made the post reserved for "General" and a woman.

Meanwhile, the BJP has reportedly drafted a strict three-point checklist for its candidates.

Loyalty first: The candidate must be an original BJP member (no recent defectors).

Civic expertise: Must have deep knowledge of the BMC’s complex administrative rules.

The identity factor: The party is seeking a "Marathi-Hindu" face with a "clean image" to appeal to the city’s core electorate.

The frontrunners for the post

The BJP has a deep bench of 49 female corporators. Leading the race for the post of mayor are major faces in the party who are meeting the parameters set by the party's high command.

Alka Kerkar: A four-term veteran from Bandra West and former Deputy Mayor with vast administrative experience.

Rajshree Shirwadkar: A three-term corporator from Sion and a former member of the powerful Standing Committee.

Tejasvee Ghosalkar: A tactical powerhouse from Dahisar who recently defected from the UBT faction to win by over 10,000 votes.

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Ritu Tawde: A two-time corporator from Ghatkopar and a popular Maratha face.

Yogita Sunil Koli: A two-term corporator from Malad known for securing decisive victories.

New Delhi: Delhi residents woke up to a dramatic shift in weather this Tuesday as heavy rain, fierce thunderstorms, and gusty winds swept across the National Capital Region. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings, placing several areas on high alert as the city faces a sudden, intense spellof winter turbulence.

IMD issues a red alert

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At 11:10 AM, the weather office sounded a Red Alert for Northwest, West, Southwest, and Outer North Delhi, as well as pockets of Central Delhi. Unlike a standard forecast, a Red Alert is a call for immediate action from both authorities and residents to mitigate the risks of severe weather.

Meanwhile, Northeast and East Delhi, along with Shahdara and parts of the South and North districts, remain under an Orange Alert, IMD advising citizens to stay prepared for adverse conditions.

The rainfall tally

The rain didn’t fall uniformly across the city, but the impact was felt everywhere. During the three-hour window between 8:30 AM and 11:30 AM, the official figures painted a wet picture.

Palam witnessed maximum with 3.4 mm rain, Ridge, 3.0 mm, Pitampura, 2.0 mm, Janakpuri, 1.5 mm, Mayur Vihar,  1.0 mm, and  Ayanagar, 0.1 mm.

While Safdarjung and Lodi Road recorded only a trace of moisture, specific hotspots like Narela, Bawana, Alipur, Kanjhawala, Rohini, Mundaka, and Jafarpur witnessed heavy localised thunderstorms.

IMD warns of winds and ice

The IMD has warned that the "bad weather" will persist for the next few hours. The forecast includes gusty winds with speeds reaching 40 to 50 kmph. The weather department also predicted frequent thunderstorms accompanied by light to moderate rain. The IMD issued a specific warning for hail, threatening to coat streets in ice.

The mercury dips

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The storm has brought a significant chill to the air. After a minimum temperature of 8°C this morning, the heavy cloud cover and rain are expected to keep the maximum temperature capped at a cool 19 degrees Celsius.

This intense wet spell is the most significant since January 23rd, which saw the highest January rainfall in two years. Much like that previous event, today’s storm is expected to provide a temporary, much-needed wash-out of the city's lingering pollution levels, even as it disrupts the daily commute. 

Hyderabad: A 5-year-old girl became the latest victim of killer Chinese Manja, this time in Kukatpally area of the city on Monday evening.

She was traveling with her parents on a two-wheeler when a Manja slit her throat and claimed her life. The incident occurred on Kukatpally National Highway near Metro Pillar No 781 in Sumitra Nagar, almost ten days after Sankranti.

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Chinese Manja entangled around the child’s neck:

The five-year-old child identified as Nishvika Aditya, was seated at the front of her father on the motorcycle, when a Chinese Manja got entangled around her neck, causing severe injuries.

Upon hearing his daughter’s screams, he immediately stopped the vehicle and saw her bleeding profusely. The parents rushed her to the nearest private hospital, but she succumbed to her injuries during treatment.

Background of the family:

The child’s parents, D Ramsagar and Padmavathi, who are from BR Ambedkar Konaseema district, settled in Hyderabad. The couple had recently bought a home and stepped out with their daughter to pick some items for the interiors. The tragic incident occurred while they were returning home.

Kukatpally Police have registered a case and are investigating the incident. Kukatpally CI K Venkata Subbarao said that they are examining how the banned Chinese Manja was found on a busy road.

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The purchase or sale of Chinese Manja is banned because of its lethal nature, but it continues to claim innocent lives.

New Delhi: A 19-year-old college student in Bengaluru was allegedly blackmailed and extorted after private photographs she had earlier shared with her boyfriend were used by an unknown person to threaten her.

The victim, a student of a reputed private college in the city, lodged a complaint at the Central Division Cyber Crime Police Station, stating that she began receiving calls and messages from an unknown number containing her private photos, along with threats to make them public unless she paid money.

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Woman pays Rs 1 lakh

According to the complaint, the woman initially discussed the matter with a friend and, under pressure from the blackmailer, paid around Rs 1 lakh through the friend. However, the accused continued to demand more money, prompting her to approach the police.

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She initially suspected her boyfriend's involvement, but preliminary investigation has ruled out his role in the incident, police said.

A case has been registered, and a detailed probe is underway using technical and digital evidence to trace the accused. Police have advised the public to exercise caution while sharing private images or personal information online.

New Delhi: In a shocking incident, a professor was stabbed to death on a local train in Mumbai. The incident took place on Sunday evening, and new CCTV footage has surfaced showing the moment when the horrific crime took place.

Murder at Malad station

According to the footage recorded at Malad station, the accused pulled out a knife after a sudden argument on the platform. He stabbed the professor before fleeing the scene. Scared commuters rushed out of the train as chaos ensued in the station.

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The victim has been identified as 33-year-old Alok Kumar Singh, a professor of mathematics and statistics at Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics. He was alighting from a Borivali-bound train at around 6 pm when the fatal attack on platform number 1 took place over an altercation that quickly escalated to a minor disagreement. Singh was rushed to Kandivali's Babasaheb Ambedkar Hospital and was declared dead.

Police arrests accused within 12 hours

The accused, 27-year-old Omkar Shinde, is reportedly a daily-wage labourer. The police arrested him within 12 hours of the Kurar area. He was tracked down thanks to the CCTV footage and other points along the train route. There was another CCTV clip that showed a panic-stricken man wearing a white shirt and blue jeans crossing a foot overbridge at Malad station. The timing was just after the murder, and it gave investigators clarity about the incident.

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The incident was reportedly witnessed by several passengers, and the investigators are recording their statements. Singh lived in Malad East with his wife and had been teaching at Narsee Monjee College since 2024.

As per his colleagues, who have been shocked by the incident, he was a calm and soft-spoken man. Shinde, who works as a metal polisher, has been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police are examining CCTV footage and investigating the weapon used in the attack.

New Delhi: Preparations for the Republic Day parade in Delhi are complete To ensure tight security, a heavy police presence has been deployed across the national capital and a detailed traffic advisory has been issued outlining restricted and diverted routes. Commuters have been urged to read the advisory carefully before planning their travel.

Security deployment intensified

Delhi Police has been placed on high alert for the parade, with strict security arrangements in place. Around 4,000 traffic police personnel will be deployed along Kartavya Path and the parade route to regulate movement as per the schedule. In addition, nearly 30,000 police personnel and over 70 companies of paramilitary forces will be stationed across the city to maintain law and order. Special arrangements have also been made for spectators coming to watch the parade.

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QR-based parking system

DCP Traffic Rajiv Kumar Rawal said that a QR code has been printed on the back of parking passes issued to spectators. Scanning the code will open an animated video on the user’s mobile phone, clearly explaining the designated traffic route to reach the allotted parking area. He added that entering the parking location on Google Maps will also show the most direct route while avoiding roads closed due to the parade.

AI surveillance measures

Artificial Intelligence has also been deployed for traffic management and crime prevention. During the parade, police personnel will be seen wearing special AI-enabled glasses that are linked to a database of over 65,000 criminals. If a person with a criminal record comes close to an officer wearing these glasses, their details and history will immediately appear on the device.

Routes to avoid

As per the traffic advisory, several major roads will remain closed or restricted during the celebrations.

No traffic will be allowed on Kartavya Path from Vijay Chowk to India Gate till the end of the parade at 6 pm on January 25.

From 10 pm on January 25, traffic will be restricted on Rafi Marg, Janpath and Man Singh Road towards Kartavya Path until the parade concludes.

The C-Hexagon–India Gate stretch will remain closed from 9:15 am on January 26 till the parade crosses Tilak Marg.

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From 10:30 am on January 26, Tilak Marg, BSZ Marg and Subhash Marg will be closed in both directions.

Traffic police have advised road users to plan their journeys according to the advisory and, for convenience, avoid the parade route between 9:30 am and 1 pm on January 26.

New Delhi: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the death of Noida-based engineer Yuvraj Mehta has stated that the tragedy was preventable and resulted from long-standing systemic failures. According to the team, neglect by multiple departments — including urban planning, road safety, disaster response, and emergency coordination — led directly to Yuvraj’s death.

“The SIT is clear that this was not a freak accident. Multiple systems failed simultaneously — road safety, drainage, disaster response, and command control. Had even one of these worked as mandated, the victim could have been saved,” reports said.

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Who are at fault?

Mehta (27) drowned after his SUV plunged into a water-filled excavated pit in Greater Noida’s Sector 15 while he was returning home late on the night of January 16–17. A thick layer of smog, coupled with an unmarked construction site, turned a routine drive into a fatal accident.

After the vehicle fell into the pit around midnight, Mehta managed to escape onto the roof of the submerged SUV. Unable to swim, he repeatedly waved his phone’s flashlight and cried for help. However, no one stopped, and he remained trapped for nearly two hours before succumbing.

The SIT issued more than 22 detailed queries to the Noida Authority, police, traffic cell, fire services, and disaster management authorities. While extensive reports were submitted — approximately 150 pages from the Noida Authority and about 450 pages from the police — investigators said these failed to adequately explain the critical delays in rescue operations.

Did absence road safety turn fatal?

To further the probe, the team has shifted to Meerut for analysis before submitting its consolidated findings to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Administrative and legal action is expected once the final report is reviewed.

One of the key findings highlights the absence of safety measures at the roadwork site. Although the construction activity had official approval, investigators found no evidence of effective monitoring or enforcement. The SIT believes this lapse directly contributed to the accident.

CM Yogi orders high-level probe

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Following the investigation, Noida Authority CEO Lokesh M was removed and placed on the waiting list. The SIT has also raised questions regarding District Magistrate Medha Roopam, who heads the district disaster management authority.

Despite chairing a disaster preparedness meeting a day before the incident, she did not take immediate departmental action and visited the site only four days later, along with the SIT. She also did not meet Mehta’s family.  UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had ordered a high-level enquiry after the incident. The three-member SIT is led by the Meerut Divisional Commissioner, with the ADG of Meerut Zone and the PWD chief engineer as members.

Mumbai: A 33-year-old college professor was stabbed to death in a moving train following a minor argument with another passenger in Mumbai. The accused, who has no previous criminal record, has been arrested in the case.

The incident took place when the train was entering Malad

While the victim has been identified as Alok Kumar Singh, the accused has been identified as Omkar Shinde. Singh used to work at a private college as a professor. The incident took place when the train was entering Malad station in the city, which was the destination of the victim.

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As the train came to a halt at Malad station, the accused managed to flee from the spot. The injured victim was rushed to a nearby government hospital by by Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel for treatment. However, he later succumbed to injuries.

Victim attacked after verbal altercation

According to a ‘India Today’ report, the victim was attacked after a verbal altercation in the train. The accused had allegedly threatened Singh with severe consequences. The victim hailed from Uttar Pradesh. He is survived by his wife.

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The couple got married just two years ago. After the murder, the case has been filed under Section 103 (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and has been filed under GRP. Importantly, there have been reports of arguments inside trains in Mumbai earlier too, the latest killing seems to be an increase in that pattern.

Previous instances

Last year in July, a video had surfaced from a station in Mumbai in which two women can be seen fighting with each other. As per reports, one of the women hit the other with her elbow to board the train first, leading to the fight. In another incident same month, two women entered into verbal conflict inside a train after one of them asked the other to speak in Marathi.

New Delhi: A 10-year-old girl helped the Delhi police to crack a rape case with the minute details she recalled from the crime scene. The Central Delhi's Prasad Nagar cops did not have any other leads except the minor's testimony. The girl who sells flowers at traffic signals mentioned some blurry scenes from her ordeal. The visuals included a red e-rickshaw with a white roof, a pair of slippers and a blue room.

The minor was raped by an e-rickshaw driver on January 11. The cops had no other clues, like the name or registration number of the vehicle. The alleged victim mentioned some details of the case, which eventually led to the arrest of the 25-year-old man.

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The Investigation

DCP (Central) Anant Mittal formed three teams to solve the case. The team scanned 1 20-km radius, and searched for the location matching the girl's description. The first breakthrough came when the cops found a similar location at Professor Ram Nath Vij Marg.

On the stranded part of the ridge, the cops discovered a broken wall opening to a small structure. The team then found the minor slippers that confirmed the crime scene. The forensic team then reconstructed the path taken by the accused between 11 pm and 1 am.

A second team scanned almost 100 CCTV cameras. At last, one of the cameras was seen capturing the red-e-rickshaw, carrying the minor. Acting on it, a third team searched the vehicle in Karol Bagh and Rajendra Place.

Cops arrest the suspect

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Pictures of suspected drivers were circulated in the area and then a vehicle was seen near a petrol pump in Rajendra Place. The cops subsequently found the vehicle. As the accused attempted to run, he was chased down and arrested.

The accused is identified as Durgesh, 25, from Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh. The cops also found blood-stained clothes. The minor, on January 11, was lured by the e-rickshaw driver on the pretext of offering tea. He then took her to a forested area and raped her.

Mumbai: Days after the BJP-led alliance won Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the wait continues for the next mayor of the city. Reservations for mayor's posts have been announced in Mumbai and 28 other municipalities in Maharashtra. Of them, 15 dears have been reserved for women in various municipalities across the state.

BJP won most seats in Mumbai

In Mumbai, the BJP won the largest number of seats with 89, with the Shiv Sena winning 29 seats. With the alliance crossing the 114 majority mark, the BJP + have regained their strength once again in BMC, delivering a crushing defeat to Thackeray brothers Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS.

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In Mumbai, the mayor's seat has been reserved for women in the general category. Below is the list of five women councillors from BJP who are front-runners from the post.

Who are top contenders for the mayor’s post?

Ritu Tawade: The 53-year-old councillor from Ghatkopar (Ward Number 132) is the front-runner for the post. She won for the second time from the ward, which is a Gujarati majority area. A young Marathi face, she is considered a strong contender for the Mayor’s post.

Alka Kerkar: The 73-year-old councillor from Bandra-Khar-Santacruz West (Ward Number 98) has been elected for the fourth time. She has earlier served as a deputy mayor.

Tejasvi Ghosalkar: The 38-year-old councillor from Dahisal joined the BJO from Shiv Sena (UBT) recently. Winning by the margin of 10,755 votes, she is the daughter in law of former MLA Vinod Ghosalkar and the wife of the late Abhishek Ghosalkar.

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Among other names that are also doing rounds are Sheetal Gambhir and Rajshree Shirwadkar. While Gambhir as a political experience needed for mayor’s post, Shirwadkar is also an experienced party worker in Mumbai.

BJP’s comfortable win in various cities

Apart from Mumbai, BJP + also won from othr important Pune, Thane, Nagpur and other areas.

New Delhi: The national capital woke up to an unusually dark and gloomy day as dense cloud cover, fog and intermittent rain plunged the national capital into near-winter conditions. With sunlight missing through most of the day, the city felt colder than usual, creating an eerie atmosphere across the region.

Fog erases skyline

The skylines of Noida and Gurugram, normally dominated by high-rise buildings, disappeared behind thick fog and low clouds. Visibility dropped sharply, leaving the city wrapped in a grey haze that blurred roads, buildings and open spaces.

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Adding to the unease were rumbling thunderstorms echoing across parts of the capital. Several areas recorded light to moderate rainfall accompanied by lightning and strong winds. The sudden spell of rain led to a noticeable dip in temperatures, reviving winter-like chills that many thought had already passed.

Roads across Delhi appeared unusually quiet as the gloomy weather kept people indoors. The overcast conditions are expected to persist for the time being.

IMD warning, AQI relief

The India Meteorological Department said the abrupt change in weather was caused by a western disturbance. The weather agency has issued warnings for rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds across Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, west Uttar Pradesh and north Rajasthan. The alert level has been reduced from orange to yellow.

The rain has also brought some relief from air pollution. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer app, Delhi’s air quality index stood at 293 in the poor category, improving from 313 recorded on Thursday evening. Among monitoring stations, 23 reported very poor air quality, 15 recorded poor levels and one station showed moderate air quality.

Fresh snowfall delights hills

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Meanwhile, higher reaches of north India witnessed fresh snowfall. The popular ski destination of Gulmarg and several other areas in the Kashmir Valley received new snow, while strong winds swept through Srinagar and surrounding plains.

Himachal Pradesh’s Manali also saw fresh snowfall, blanketing the hill town in white. The snowfall has lifted spirits in the region, especially among tourists and local residents who welcomed the winter revival.

New Delhi: The Karnataka High Court has given a verdict in favour of bike taxis. They said that the state government can no longer refuse to give licenses to the bike taxis. This verdict might just be the first step in the resumption of bike taxi services in the state, which had been banned by the state government last year.

Bike taxis will create employment, help commuters

The High Court's ruling in the matter is likely to increase employment opportunities in the state and also be a blessing for commuters. The court verdict followed a challenge mounted by bike taxi aggregators like Uber and Rapido, who had challenged the Karnataka government's ban on bike taxis in the state. The state government had banned the bike taxis saying that these were illegal.

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The court verdict will also provide low cost services to the people of the state. The order was passed by a 3-judge bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Joshi.

The court verdict not only allowed resumption of bike taxis, but it also put the onus on the state government to set up clear guidelines for the operation of bike taxis. The state government can now draft and implement a formal regulatory mechanism for operation of bike taxis in the state.

Government reacts to Karnataka High Court order

The state government meanwhile gave a guarded response to the High Court order. The Karnataka Transport Minister, Ramalinga Reddy, was quoted by Network 18 as saying, "I am yet to see the full judgment. I will discuss it with the Transport Commissioner and decide the next course of action."

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Earlier in November 2025, a high powered committee set up by the state government, had submitted a report to the High Court, regarding bike taxis. It had concluded that bike taxis were unsafe and illegal. The committee had said that bike taxis cannot be permitted in the state.

According to the Karnataka government, allowing bike taxis on the roads would be a violation of the Central Motor Vehicles Act. They also argued that bike taxis were causing excessive congestion on the roads and endangering the lives of commuters. Now however, the High Court has ruled in favour of bike taxis and taken into account both the inconvenience caused to commuters, like IT workers and others who use it for daily commute and last mile connectivity, and also the livelihood of gig workers.

Hyderabad: Eagle Force (Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement), a specialised anti-narcotics unit in Telangana, with the help of local police arrested two drug peddlers and a supplier in two different operations in Begumpet and Hayath Nagar, seizing narcotics worth Rs 8 lakh.

In Hayath Nagar, officials seized 2.6 grams of Methamphitamine and two drug peddlers were arrested.  The men identified as Bhansilal Pnaware alias Rahul Saini, 21, and Yogesh Rankavath, 25, were arrested for consuming methamphetamine.

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Bhansilal, who is from Nagaur district in Rajasthan, has been living in Hyderabad for over a decade and ran a small chaat stall Balaji Chat Bhandar and Yogesh, also from Nagaur, had been working s a helper at the chaat stall.

A third person identified as A Pavan Ode, is absconding and was the person who brought 5 gms of meth to Hyderabad. Out of the five grams, the accused trio consumed 2.4 gms, police said. Efforts are underway to trace the absconding individual.

Woman supplier caught at Begumpet railway station:

In another incident, Eagle Force’s Railway Narcotics Control Cell (RNCC) arrested a woman named Mamata Digal, 37, at Begumpet railway station from Konark Express.

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Digal, who is from Phulbani, Odisha, worked as a housemaid in Navi Mumbai and was lured by Mumbai-based drug peddler, Ashok, who promised her quick money. She had reportedly transported Ganja twice from Bhubaneswar twice at his behest.

Officials seized 16 kgs of Ganja in two suitcases from her on Konark Express and handed it over to Nampally Railway police station. Police are on the hunt for Ashok, an absconding interstate supplier

New Delhi: The Bengaluru police have taken into custody a 25-year-old airport ground staff employee for allegedly molesting a South Korean businesswoman at Kempegowda International Airport, misusing the excuse of a “manual frisking”.

Ground staff arrested

The accused, identified as Mohammed Affaan Ahmed, a resident of Kammanahalli in east Bengaluru, was working with a private agency that provides ground handling and passenger support services at the airport. A local court has since remanded him to judicial custody.

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According to investigators, the incident took place at around 10 am on Monday, January 19, when the woman was preparing to board her flight back to South Korea. After completing security screening and immigration checks, she was heading towards the boarding gate at Terminal 2 when Ahmed intercepted her in the departure area.

Frisking used as pretext

Police said Ahmed examined her boarding pass and claimed there was a problem with her baggage. He then told her that she needed to undergo another frisking and led her towards a secluded spot near the men’s washroom. There, he allegedly touched her inappropriately under the guise of a security check.

In her complaint, the woman stated that the frisking was intrusive and continued even after she objected. She alleged that Ahmed walked away only after saying “thank you”. Visibly shaken, she immediately reported the incident to airport officials, following which Ahmed was detained and handed over to airport police.

CCTV nails accused

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A senior police officer said that the accused had no authorisation to conduct any additional security check. “CCTV footage clearly shows him escorting the woman to an isolated area,” the officer added.

Ahmed has been booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to sexual harassment. His statement has been recorded, and police noted that he did not deny the sequence of events during questioning. Further inquiry revealed that he had been employed at the airport for nearly 18 months.

Hyderabad: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the phone-tapping case in Telangana, has issued notices to BRS working president and former minister KT Rama Rao on Thursday, January 22.

The notice instructs him to appear for questioning at 11 AM on Friday. SIT officials stated that the questioning will likely take place at the Jubilee Hills Police Station. The notice was served to him at his residence in Nandi Nagar under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

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SIT questions Harish Rao:

The SIT has already questioned former minister Harish Rao for approximately seven and a half hours on Tuesday. The authorities have instructed him not to contact or influence any witnesses involved in the investigation. The SIT has decided to summon Harish Rao for questioning again soon in this case, reports said. The investigation into the allegations of illegal phone tapping has been ongoing since March 10, 2024. 

A primary charge sheet has been filed against some of the accused. The SIT is continuing its investigation in greater depth.

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Who are the accused in phone-tapping case?

At least six people have been named in the case so far, including ex-Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) T Prabhakar Rao, former DSP D Praneet Rao among others for destroying gadgets immediately after the BRS lost elections in December 2023.

New Delhi: Panic briefly erupted at Delhi airport’s Terminal 3 after a security check flagged what was suspected to be a human skeleton. However, Delhi Police clarified that a preliminary probe found the object to be a dummy skeleton commonly used by medical students for academic purposes.

The skeleton was found inside the bag of a medical student travelling from Delhi. Police said the student had purchased the model from an agency in Karol Bagh, and the item still carried the agency’s identification tag. On being contacted, the agency confirmed that it supplies dummy skeletons for educational use and imports them from China.

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Officials said there was no criminal angle linked to the incident and no foul play was suspected. However, the so-called “demo skeleton” has been sent for further forensic examination. Delhi Police said the forensic tests will scientifically confirm that the recovered remains are indeed an educational model and not an actual human skeleton.

New Delhi: IAS officer Sanjeev Khirwar who came under fire in 2022 for clearing a Delhi sports stadium to "walk his dog, has now been appointed as the new MCD commissioner. Khirwar was transferred to Ladakh from Delhi in May 2022 after his move sparked a controversy.

The Union Home Ministry appointed Khirwar, a 1994-batch Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre IAS officer, as the commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). In an official order, the Ministry of Home Affairs notified Khirwar's appointment and communicated to the office of the Lt Governor of Delhi. The MCD Commissioner is tasked with overseeing the corporation’s daily functions, implementing policies and coordinating with various departments.

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What happened in 2022

Khirwar came under sharp criticism in 2022 amid allegations that the bureaucrat cleared the Delhi's Thyagraj Stadium complex, got it closed earlier than usual and asked athletes to leave early so that he could "walk his dog". 

"We used to train till 8-8.30 pm under lights earlier. But now, we are asked to leave the ground by 7 pm so that the officer can walk his dog on the ground. Our training and practice routine has been disrupted," the Indian Express quoted a coach as saying.

Khirwar had refuted the allegations and admitted that he took his pet for a walk at the stadium "sometimes" but never disrupted the athletes' practice. 

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Transferred to Ladakh after row

Back then, Khirwar was the Delhi's Principal Secretary (Revenue). He was transferred to Ladakh from Delhi in May 2022 after the public row. Following the controversy, Delhi's then Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had directed all state-run sports facilities in the city to stay open for sportspersons till 10 pm.

New Delhi: The recent elections to the municipal corporations in Maharashtra, especially the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, grabbed the attention of the rest of the nation for their intricate politics and alliances.

Now, in a move which has surprised everyone, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena is reportedly planning to join hands with the newly elected corporators of the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in the Kalyan Dombivli municipal corporation. Notably, Shinde is a part of the Mahayuti alliance along with the BJP.

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Alliance to change in Dombivli?

Before the BMC elections, Raj Thackeray teamed up with his cousin and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray after years of rivalry. However, the BJP-Shinde's Sena alliance clinched victory in the BMC election, but they are yet to come to a decisive conclusion for the Mayor post.

The role of MNS corporators

In the Kalyan Dombivli polls, the Sena won 53 seats, and the BJP won 50 seats, together surpassing the majority mark of 62. However, both parties reportedly want the Mayor post, and it has brought the five MNS corporators there into play. If the Shinde Sena ties up with these five, the tally climbs to 58, four short of the majority. Apart from these parties, Shiv Sena (UBT) won 11 seats, while NCP (SP) won one, and Congress won two seats.

Shinde and Naresh Mhaske of the Sena have reportedly met MNS leader Raju Patil. However, Mhaske played down claims of a surprising alliance and said, "We contested the Kalyan Dombivli municipal election as Shiv Sena-BJP Mahayuti, and we will hold power as the Mahayuti."

Will there be a tie-up with MNS? he said, "If everyone is coming together for development, we would welcome them. MNS is not AIMIM. This is development politics on a city level. If they want to come with us, we will welcome them."

What has Sena (UBT) said about it?

Meanwhile, MNS leader Raju Patil has reportedly said, "BJP and Shiv Sena are fighting together. So by supporting them, we are going along with them. There is no question of sidelining them." Patil said that Raj Thackeray has allowed the local leadership of MNS to make independent decisions based on the political realities of those regions.

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However, Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said, "Those who betray Maharashtra are traitors, and those who go along with them also deserve the same description. Just because one did not get power or gain anything, acting dishonestly in this way will not be forgiven by Maharashtra. You may have personal reasons, but they should remain personal."

He added that Uddhav is enraged by the Kalyan-Dombivli issue and said, "People who switch parties in this manner are political psychopaths. Shiv Sena and MNS are together. They fought the election together. At such a time, if someone gets elected on a symbol and then betrays it, the party and its leadership must take a stand."

Hyderabad: A speeding car overturned on Begumpet flyover in the city on Wednesday morning, visuals from the site showed.

Three people were injured and were rushed to the hospital. Police suspect rash driving as the cause of the accident and launched an investigation into the matter.

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The accident led to slowing down of traffic as the overturned car blocked a portion of the flyover. Traffic was cleared after removing the car.

Two private travel buses collide in AP:

In a separate incident in AP, two private travel buses collided near Divan Cheruvu (lake) in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh. As per reports, nearly 109 students from Telangana PMC Model school were traveling in the buses and were returning to Nalgonda from Araku valley. Some of them were injured.

The bus drivers sustained injuries and were moved to Rajahmundry government hospital.

Lorry carrying chemical waste overturns in irrigation canal:

In another incident, a lorry carrying a load of chemical waste collected from a pharma company overturned near an irrigation canal on the outskirts of AV Nagar in Thondangi mandal, Kakinada town.

Officials have been on alert for potential water contamination, since a pumping scheme is located nearby.

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They have issued warnings to the public not to drink the water and advised people to be vigilant as there is a risk of the canal water contaminating nearby small ponds.

Former Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu and MLA Yanamala Divya reviewed the situation. Measures have been taken to supply drinking water through tankers.

The Bombay High Court has sent a clear message to Mumbai’s civic authorities, saying that the "moderate" is simply not good enough when it comes to the air citizens breathe. During a suo motu (self-initiated) hearing on Tuesday regarding the city’s choking pollution, the court dismissed claims that current levels are acceptable.

The court rapped the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) even after the corporation unveiled an aggressive 315-page roadmap involving body cams, SMS alerts, and hundreds of "stop-work" orders.

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"We are not on moderate": The court’s ultimatum to BMC

The tension in the courtroom peaked when a bench led by Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Shyam Suman pushed for progress. The BMC counsel, SU Kamdar, described the city’s current Air Quality Index (AQI), which has hovered between 101 and 116 recently, as "moderate". The bench was quick to quip, "We are not on moderate."

The judges indicated that settling for mid-tier air quality is not an option, demanding tangible results rather than just statistical compliance.

The crackdown: 600+ sites halted

In a massive status report, the BMC detailed its "Operational Action Plan," revealing a heavy-handed approach to errant construction sites. The numbers paint a picture of a city under intense scrutiny:

According to the BMC report, 94 ward-level squads are inspecting at least two sites daily, with senior officials monitoring hotspots. Between late December and mid-January, the BMC issued 284 stop-work notices for general non-compliance. Out of 1,954 active construction sites, a staggering 662 were ordered to shut down immediately for failing to install mandatory sensor-based air quality monitors. Another 408 notices were slapped on developers for failing to meet mitigation standards.

The "airshed" approach

The BMC’s affidavit, filed by Chief Engineer Avinash Kate, argued that Mumbai’s pollution isn't just a local problem but a geographical one. Citing "temperature inversion" and "seasonal wind reversal," the report noted that Mumbai requires an "airshed-based" strategy.

This means air quality management cannot be city-centric; it must be a multi-jurisdictional effort that accounts for coastal breezes and regional emissions. Despite the challenges, the BMC claimed victory in the numbers, stating that AQI levels have improved by 22 per cent in 2024 and 26 per cent in 2025 compared to previous years.

High-tech enforcement: Body cams and alerts

To ensure transparency and real-time monitoring, the BMC is turning to technology. The corporation has procured 27 cameras for enforcement squads to record inspections and prevent corruption or disputes at construction sites.

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Also, a new system is being developed to automatically text authorities the moment PM10 or PM2.5 levels cross a dangerous threshold.

While the BMC maintains that Mumbai is on a "consistent seasonal pattern" toward improvement, the High Court remains unimpressed by the "moderate" status quo, keeping the pressure on the civic body to clear the skies for good. The next case hearing of the case has been set for January 23.

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy at Davos proposed hosting a follow-up meeting of the World Economic Forum, every July in Hyderabad.

The proposal received unanimous support from global business leaders and policymakers during the “Join the Rise” event held in Davos, a statement from the CMO said.

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He said that it is important to accelerate follow-ups and investment decisions in today’s fast-moving business environment.

CM, cabinet meet with Google, Unilever representatives:

Meanwhile, the CM and cabinet ministers met with representatives from renowned companies such as Google, Philips, Unilever, Expertise and representatives from the UAE government.

Google came forward to offer cooperation in cybersecurity, startups, traffic management, agriculture, and climate change. In a meeting with William Uijen, Chief Supply Chain and Operations Officer of Unilever, Telangana CM held extensive discussions on the establishment of a Global Capability Center (GCC).

Minister D Sridhar Babu said that GCCs of prominent FMCG companies like McDonald's, Heineken, and Costco are already successfully operating in Hyderabad.

Saudi, UAE ready to invest in Telangana:

UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, H.E. Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, stated that his government is ready to work with Telangana to develop Future City into a world-class city.

He met with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy in Davos on Tuesday. ​​During the meeting, Revanth Reddy explained the 'Telangana Rising 2047' vision.

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Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri said that he is interested in establishing a joint task force with UAE and Telangana officials to expedite the project, and also in strengthening Telangana's rural and agriculture-based economy in collaboration with the UAE Food Cluster.

Expertise, a leading industrial company from Saudi Arabia, has expressed interest in partnering with Young India Skills University. The company's President and CEO, Mohammed Asif, met with a delegation from 'Telangana Rising'. On this occasion, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy stated that the Skills University was established with the aim of bridging the gap between the education system and industries.

New Delhi: Elections to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) will be held in five municipal corporations by June 30, the Karnataka State Election Commission (SEC) announced on Monday. The draft electoral roll for 369 wards was published on Monday.

Authorities have urged voters to cross-check their names in the draft list and submit claims or objections, if any. The SEC also confirmed that the civic polls will be conducted using ballot papers instead of electronic voting machines (EVMs). Karnataka State Election Commissioner G S Sangreshi said the move is significant as ballot papers will be used in Bengaluru civic elections after a gap of 25 years. The commission ruled out the use of EVMs for the upcoming polls.

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Draft voters’ list released for 369 GBA wards

Civic elections to the GBA will cover 369 wards across five municipal corporations—Bengaluru Central, North, South, East and West. According to Special Commissioner R Ramachandran, a total of 88,91,411 voters figure in the ward-wise draft voters’ list. The draft list is available at  https://gba.karnataka.gov.in/home. This includes 45,69,193 men, 43,20,583 women and 1,635 others. The electoral roll has been prepared based on the qualifying date of October 1, 2025.

Booth Level Officer (BLO) verification and the process for filing claims and objections will remain open from January 20 to February 3, 2026. The draft voters’ list has been made available on the official website of the Greater Bengaluru Authority.

SEC defends use of ballot papers

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Addressing concerns over the decision to use ballot papers, Sangreshi rejected suggestions that the move was taken under government pressure. He emphasised that the State Election Commission is an independent constitutional body empowered to decide the voting method.

“Using ballot papers is a choice. After considering the present scenario and holding detailed discussions, the SEC felt that ballot papers are appropriate. Most voters in Bengaluru have not seen ballot papers over the past 20–30 years, as EVMs have been in use. Ballot papers are also a globally accepted best practice,” Sangreshi said.

New Delhi: Delhi has witnessed an improvement in air quality, leading the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to revoke GRAP-4 restrictions in the national capital and NCR regions on Tuesday.

Recently, the CAQM imposed GRAP-IV in Delhi-NCR due to severe air quality in the region, as a proactive measure. It was imposed along with GRAP Stages I, II, and III, already in force in Delhi-NCR. Also, the NCR Pollution Control Boards and other agencies concerned escalated the implementation of preventive measures.

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Delhi's AQI enters 'very poor' category

On Tuesday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi was 378, in the ‘very poor’ category. On Monday, the AQI was 410, and it was 440 on Sunday.

The CAQM said in a statement that due to "favourable meteorological conditions and an increase in wind speed," the national capital's AQI improved to 378 on Tuesday, which falls in the 'very poor' category. The statement further read that according to the forecast of the IMD/IITM, Delhi's AQI "is likely to remain in this range in the coming days."

AQI is likely to remain so in coming days

It added that due to this reason, the "sub-Committee has decided to revoke with immediate effect its order dated 17.01.2026 invoking actions under Stage IV (‘Severe+’ Category, AQI > 450) of the extant GRAP.”

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The statement further stated that the sub-Committee will continue to "closely monitor the air quality situation and review it periodically for further appropriate decisions based on AQI levels and forecasts issued by IMD/IITM."

Notably, the Delhi government released the latest official data recently that showed 9,211 deaths in the national capital in 2024 due to respiratory diseases. In 2023, the number of deaths was 8,801 as Delhi continues to battle air pollution.

Noida: In a horrific incident, a 19-year old girl lost her life, and three boys were injured after their Jaguar car collided with an oil tanker truck in Noida on Tuesday. The injured have been admitted in a hospital and are undergoing treatment. The driver of the truck is on the run and efforts are on to trace him.

Accident took place near Bhangel Elevated Road

The accident took place on the Bhangel Elevated Road. The four individuals were travelling in a jaguar car near Sector 49 police station area when the incident took place. Among the four who were travelling in the car included Ayush Bhati (18), Neel Pawar (18), Kumari Falak Ahmed (19) and Ansh (18). The three injured are the residents of Noida, as well as the deceased. All four used to study in different schools, the police said.

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As per the police, they were travelling from Bhangel towards Agahpur on the elevated road. The car driver apparently tried to overtake an unknown container truck near the elevated road, resulting in a collision. All four occupants of the car were injured in the incident. The injured were admitted to the hospital for treatment.

Families informed of the incident

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However, Kumari Falak Ahmed succumbed to her injuries during treatment. The remaining injured are undergoing treatment. The families of the deceased and the injured have been informed of the incident. The Sector 49 police are searching for the the driver of the container truck and are also taking other necessary actions. A case has been filed in the incident.

Engineer dies after car fell into water-filled pit

Recently, a software engineer lost his life after his car fell into a water-filled pit in Noida. He was returning home when the incident took place. Taking strict action over his death, a senior official has been suspended. The probe is going on in the accident.

New Delhi: National record holder in men’s pole vault Dev Kumar Meena and another athelete were allegedly harassed by a Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) and asked to get down the train at the Panvel railway station in Mumbai over their sporting equipment (pole).

Meena and Kuldeep Yadav, who is also a top pole vaulter, were returning from All India Inter-University Athletics Championships in Bengaluru and travelling to Bhopal.

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The duo was allegedly asked to deboard the train at Panel station by the ticket examiner for carrying their pole vault poles worth lakhs, calling the highly specialised gear "unauthorised luggage." The sports gear costs approximately Rs 2 lakh each, measuring nearly 5 metres in length.

Athletes express frustration

The athletes said that they tried to explain to the ticket examiner about the pole and requested him to speak to senior officials and even offered to pay a fine but he dismissed their pleas. The duo were made to wait at the Panvel station for four to five hours.

"If this is happening to us, what should I expect for my juniors?" asked Dev Meena, the national record holder (5.40m), in a video shared by NNIS Sports. "If these things are still happening to an international-level athlete in India, what can I say?" he added.

Dev Meena, 19, who hails from Madhya Pradesh broke his own national record in pole vault with an effort of 5.35m in the National Federation Senior Athletics Championships in April 2025.

Kuldeep Yadav, who won gold at the Bengaluru meet with a 5.10m jump, claimed that pole vaulters face a similar issue while travelling on flights.

"We face the same problem while travelling in flights and the same issue occurs in trains. Where will the athlete go? We need space to travel. Even if it costs us money, we will pay it, but our equipment must be carried properly," he said.

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Allowed to board another train with warning

The athletes missed the connecting train due to the standoff and were allowed to board another train later after hectic negotiations, and they paid a fine. They alleged that the authorities also warned them of further action if a single passenger complained about the space taken by the poles.

New Delhi: A Swiggy delivery executive was severely injured after being hit by a Scorpio driver in Gurugram’s Manesar on Monday. The incident was captured on CCTV cameras and mobile phones of other delivery executives present at the scene. The driver later allegedly admitted that he had crashed into the rider’s motorcycle.

The footage shows five to six delivery executives waiting at a roadside pickup point in Sector 93 when a black Scorpio suddenly rammed into a parked motorcycle belonging to the victim, identified as Tinku, and fled the scene. Moments later, the SUV returned and turned towards the group, attempting to hit them. The vehicle then ran over the same motorcycle before fleeing again.

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Was it a deliberate move?

Enraged by the incident, Tinku shouted at the driver, asking, “What are you doing, brother?” Angered by the confrontation, the driver—identified as Naveen Yadav—turned the vehicle around, accelerated, and ran over Tinku, who was standing near the eatery pickup point, before fleeing the spot. The other delivery executives narrowly escaped injury.

Another video shows the Scorpio heading towards Tinku, reversing, and then moving forward again to run him over before fleeing the scene.

Investigations underway

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Tinku sustained severe injuries to his head, chest, and legs. When police reached the spot, they rushed him to the Civil Hospital in Gurugram. Due to the seriousness of his condition, he was later shifted by his family to a hospital in Rewari.

Gurugram Police traced the Scorpio with the help of CCTV footage. Preliminary investigations revealed that the SUV is registered in the name of Dr Naveen Yadav.

New Delhi: The Delhi Police busted a major drug racket with the arrest of two Nigerians and seized cocaine and MDMA tablets worth Rs 5 crore. As per the police, the two accused were nabbed after conducting a surveillance of a drug supply network South and South-west Delhi.

The police recovered 418 grams of cocaine and 925 MDMA (ecstasy) tablets. The entire probe started after the Delhi Police received information about an individual who was earlier involved in cases related to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS).

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Action taken after the Delhi Police received a tip-off

“On December 2, a tip-off was received by Head Constable Sandeep Kadian that one Nigerian citizen, Frank Vitus, who was previously involved in NDPS cases, was again supplying prohibited psychotropic drugs and MDMA in various parts of South Delhi. Soon, a team started technical as well as manual surveillance on the suspect, who was constantly changing his location throughout South and South-west parts of Delhi,” a police officer said while speaking to ‘The Indian Express’.

What accused tell the police?

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He added, “Vitus told police that he was involved in supplying psychotropic drugs in various areas of Delhi and adjoining states. Efforts were then concentrated on nabbing the source of the recovered drugs, who was using a Nigerian number for WhatsApp communication.”

How Delhi Police busted the racket?

Sharing further details, the police said that it was Vitus’s phone which led them to Delhi’s Mehrauli area, from where the second accused, identified as Otuu (53) was taken in custody. The police recovered 15 ecstasy tablets from his room. During the interrogation, Otuu revealed that he had been staying in Delhi for the last two years and had been supplying drugs to Vitus. Otuu further revealed that the main kinship from Nigeria, who established contracts with dug peddlers in his country and began distributing in Delhi.

New Delhi: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has left for Davos to attend a summit of the World Economic Forum and hence the procedure to select the Mumbai mayor might take another few days. The elections to choose the mayor might even extend to the end of January, according to a report in the Times of India. The lottery to decide whether the position of mayor would go to a candidate from the open category, SC/ST or a person from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) is likely in the next 2-3 days, said the newspaper report.

However, even after that, the discussions over sharing of power in the richest municipality in the country might be finalized only by the end of this month.

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Lottery likely on January 22

According to reports, the lottery to decide the category to which the mayor of Mumbai would belong is likely to take place on January 22. Post this lottery process, a notification for the election will be issued, either on the same day or the next day. However a 7-day notice has to be issued for actual elections to take place, post the notification.

So clearly if the notification is issued on January 22, then elections can be held on January 29 and if it is issued on January 23, then elections for mayor will take place on January 30.

CM Devendra Fadnavis in Davos, likely to return on January 24

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis left for Davos on Sunday. He is likely to come back on January 24. Speaking after the election win, the CM had said that Deputy CM, Eknath Shinde and other party leaders will take a call on the mayor.

Fadnavis ridiculed Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, Sanjay Raut for his comment that "God willing it could be a Shiv Sena mayor." He said he did not know whether Raut was referring to God above or himself. Raut is also referred to as "Devabhau".

The World Economic Forum is holding its Summit from January 19-23 in Davos. Nearly 3,000 leaders from 130 countries are taking part in the Summit in the Graubünden canton of eastern Switzerland.

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CM Fadnavis interacted with Marathis living in the city. He will be here till January 24. He said that the WEF will help Maharashtra grow economically and help it become a USD 1 trillion economy. Last year the Maharashtra government signed investment agreements worth Rs 16 lakh crore in Davos and this year they are trying to scale up these investments.

CM Fadnavis is accompanied at the WEF by industries minister Uday Samant and senior officials.

New Delhi: Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) plummeted further into the 'severe' zone on Sunday. The national capital recorded the most polluted January day in the past 2 years, as the AQI stood at 440 at 4 pm on Sunday, showed the air monitoring stations. The AQI was 400 on Saturday, according to the data released by the Central Pollution Control Board. An AQI higher than this, for January month was last recorded on January 14, 2024, when it had reached 447.

Why is the AQI poor?

Experts said that poor AQI in Delhi in the second half of January is an unusual phenomenon. This is also the time when the AQI has been 400 or above during this time for 2 consecutive days since January-end in 2016.

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A report in Hindustan Times, quoted scientists as saying that the poor air quality was mostly a result of slow low-surface level winds. They also blamed the poor AQI on a western disturbance, which has brought in moisture and leads to pollutants accumulating. They however also said that since GRAP measures were lifted earlier than usual, pollution levels rose up and AQI fell into the severe zone.

According to the COPCB, AQI is moderate, when it is between 100 to 200, poor when it is between 200 to 300, very poor when it is between 300 to 400 and severe when it is over 400.

Rains possible in Delhi-NCR due to western disturbance: Weather department

According to the weather department, the weather conditions starting Monday may help clean up air. They have predicted rains for the entire Delhi-NCR. A yellow alert has been issued by the IMD for the region and they have also said that foggy conditions would prevail this week.

The day temperatures in Delhi-NCR are likely to reach 24 degrees Celsius, bringing some relief from the winter chill. The night temperatures however would be around 7 degrees Celsius. The weather department said that though temperatures might start rising from Monday onwards, dense fog is likely to prevail in the region both in the morning hours and at night. People have been asked to remain careful, especially while driving.

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has released a weather bulletin till January 22 and said that there should not be any major changes in the weather patterns till then. This means that residents of Delhi-NCR can hope to get some relief from cold between January 19 to January 22. Post that however, the temperatures may fall and the chill might increase, said the IMD.

On January 23, the region might even experience rainfall. Skymet had said that a western disturbance is currently forming which might bring light rains to the national capital and the surrounding areas of Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurugram.