Bhopal News

Kashmirs Dal Lake May Find its Twin in Bhopal, Shikara Service Launched in Upper Lake

Twenty new shikara boats equipped with high class entertainment facilities like bird-watching, savoring local dishes, mobile markets of handicrafts and organic vegetables and fruits

Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav launches 20-strong fleet of Shikaras in Bhopals Upper Lake

BHOPAL:Tourists craving to relish rides on the Shikara boats, but finding the iconic Dal Lake in Kashmir or backwaters of Kerala too far, now have the option to enjoy the same ride in the heart of India Madhya Pradesh. With a 20-strong fleet of Shikaras, the Shikara Boat service was launched in the Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopals Upper Lake on Thursday. The 20 Shikaras, which were launched by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, are equipped with food and comfortable seating arrangements for visitors, and are expected to give Madhya Pradeshs water tourism a new identity at the national and international level. While urging tourists from across the country and residents of Bhopal and the state to enjoy the Shikara Boat service, the CM said that the Madhya Pradesh Tourism is expanding water-sports activities and that tourists will also be able to purchase indigenous products while enjoying the shikara rides. The CM and other dignitaries enjoyed tea, poha, samosas andfruits from the shikara boat restaurant. The CM also purchased traditional Bag & Batik textiles and organic products from the floating boat market. This is for the first time in Madhya Pradesh that Shikaras are being operated on such a large scale. All the 20 Shikaras which were launched on Thursday, have been built using pollution-free, modern technology. They are built from fibre-reinforced polyurethane and high-quality non-reactive materials that do not cause any chemical reaction with water, ensuring the complete safety of the lakes ecology and water purity. This is for the first time in Madhya Pradesh that Shikaras are being operated on such a large scale. These shikaras have been crafted by an internationally renowned organisation whose boats are already popular with tourists in Kerala, Bengal, and Assam. With their addition, Bhopals Boat Club is now ready to welcome visitors with these attractive new vessels. Along with boating, tourists will be able to enjoy bird-watching and purchase handicrafts, local dishes, organic vegetables and fruits during the ride. Each Shikara Boat can accommodate four to six passengers. Each Shikara ride will be 20 minutes long. While four passengers will have to pay Rs 300 for the 20-minute ride, six passengers will have to pay Rs 450 for the same ride. The service will be operational from 9 am till sunset. Importantly, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had reportedlybanned all motorized boats, including diesel and petrol-powered ones, in Bhopal's Upper Lake in September 2023 to protect the wetland. The order had come in response to a petition highlighting the environmental damage caused by these activities, which includes emissions from the boats. The ban applies to cruise boats and other motor-propelled vessels operating on the Upper Lake and other designated wetlands in the state. Later, in March 2024, the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by the MP Tourism Development Corporation, which challenged the NGT order.

CM Mohan Yadav releases South African cheetah Veera, twin cubs into wild at Kuno National Park

BHOPAL: A South African female cheetah, Veera, and her ten-month-old twin cubs were released into the free-ranging forests of Madhya Pradeshs Kuno National Park (KNP) on Thursday. The release by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, marked International Cheetah Day at KNP, the first Indian home to African (Namibian and South African) cheetahs since September 2022. The mother and cubs, born in India in February, were released in the Parond forest area, a designated tourism zone. Their presence is expected to boost ecotourism and public engagement with Project Cheetah. Post-release monitoring will continue through advanced radio-tracking and field teams to ensure the animals safety and successful integration into the landscape. Veera, known for her adventurous behaviour, previously strayed out of Kuno during the summer of 2024, travelling through villages and jungles of Morena district into neighbouring Gwalior. In May 2024, she attacked a herd of goats, killing three in front of a shepherd. The latest release comes two weeks after a landmark development at Kuno, the birth of five cubs to 33-month-old Mukhi, the first Indian-born female cheetah to an African mother. The six-year-old Veera and her cubs now join 16 other cheetahs and cubs already living and hunting independently in the parks forests, often dispersing into adjacent districts of Gwalior and Morena, as well as parts of Rajasthan. These include two females, Jwala and Asha, and their six cubs each. Namibian female Jwala and her four cubs were released into the forest in February 2025. One of her cubs, a 20-month-old female, died reportedly after a fight with a leopard on September 15. Kuno currently hosts eight adult cheetahs and 21 cubs. Meanwhile, Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Mandsaur and Neemuch districts is home to three South African cheetahs, a male coalition and a female. On Thursday, the Chief Minister also released Kunos 2026 calendar and the newly developed Field Manual for Clinical Management of Free-Ranging Cheetahs in Kuno National Park. He further inaugurated the parks new souvenir shop, aimed at enriching visitor experience and promoting conservation awareness.

MP records higher stubble burning than 5 states

BHOPAL: As the country grapples with worsening air quality, it has been revealed that Madhya Pradeshthe home state of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhanis contributing the maximum to stubble burning. According to the recent statistics pertaining to monitoring paddy residue burning in the country via satellite remote sensing, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) detected as many as 33,028 active burning events in six study states. The six study states are: Punjab, Haryana, UP, Delhi, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. As per the recent report, out of the 33,028 active fire events detected across the six states, a maximum 17,067 or 52% events was detected in MP. Importantly, these 17,067 active burning events detected in MP, between September 15 and November 30, 2025, were more than the collective 15,961 similar active events reported in the same period in the five other states. Among the five other states, 5,114 burning events were detected in Punjab, 662 in Haryana, 7290 in UP, just 5 in Delhi and 2,890 in Rajasthan. Similar picture was revealed when it came to 292 crop residue active burning events detected in the six study states on November 30. MP again attained the top position with 160 burning events, which was more than the total 132 burning events in the 5 other states. Burning events detected in the 5 other states on November 30, included 2 in Punjab, 3 in Punjab, 125 in UP, nil in Delhi, and just 2 in Rajasthan. Further analysis of the crop residue burning events detected through the satellite remote sensing technology recently revealed that the Gwalior-Chambal region contributed the maximum to stubble burning in the forest-rich central Indian state. Out of the 17,067 active burning events between September 15 and November 30, a maximum 2,643 were reported in Sheopur district, which borders Rajasthan. As many as 1,930 events were detected in Gwalior district, followed by 1,797 events in the adjoining Datia. Other districts of the same region where significant active burning events were detected included Ashoknagar (506) and 64 in Morena. Raging menace Using satellite remote sensing, ICAR detected 33,028 paddy residue burning events across six states between Sept 15 and November 20, 2025 The six states are Punjab, Haryana , Uttar Pradesh ,Delhi , Rajasthan , Madhya Pradesh MPs 17,067 incidents exceeded the combined 15,961 fires reported by the other five states The other states reported Punjab - 5,114 Haryana - 662 Uttar Pradesh - 7,290 Delhi - 5 Rajasthan - 2,890 Burning events in the five states on Nov 30: Punjab 2, Haryana 3, UP 125 Delhi 0, Rajasthan 2.

ICAR data: Madhya Pradesh leads parali burning with 52% of fire events among six states

BHOPAL: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhans home state, Madhya Pradesh, is contributing the maximum to parali burning (paddy residue/stubble burning) in the country, data showed. As per the recent statistics pertaining to monitoring paddy residue burning in the country via satellite remote sensing, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) said as many as 33,028 active burning events in six study states. The six study states included Punjab, Haryana, UP, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. As per the recent report, out of the 33,028 active fire events detected across the six states, a maximum 17,067 or 52% events were detected in MP. Importantly, these 17,067 active burning events detected in MP, between September 15 and November 30, 2025, were more than the collective 15,961 similar active events reported in the same period in the five other states. Among the five other states, 5,114 burning events were detected in Punjab, 662 in Haryana, 7,290 in UP, 2, 890 in Rajasthan and just five in Delhi. A similar picture was revealed when it came to 292 crop residue active burning events detected in the six study states on November 30. MP again attained the top position with 160 burning events, which was more than the total 132 burning events in the five other states. Burning events detected in the five other states on November 30, included two in Punjab, three in Punjab, 125 in UP, zero in Delhi and just two in Rajasthan. Further analysis of the crop residue burning events detected through the satellite remote sensing technology revealed that the Gwalior-Chambal region contributed the maximum to stubble burning in the forest-rich central Indian state. 'Incorrect to pass burden onto farmers': SC questions blaming stubble burning for Delhi pollution Out of the 17,067 active burning events between September 15 and November 30, a maximum of 2,643 were reported in Sheopur district, which borders Rajasthan. As many as 1,930 events were detected in Gwalior district of the same Gwalior-Chambal region, followed by 1,797 such events in the adjoining Datia district. The other districts of the same region where significant active burning events were detected included Ashoknagar (506) and Morena district (64). Even when it came to the 160 active burning events detected on November 30 in the state, Gwalior district contributed the maximum at 62. At least 98 or 61% of the total 160 active burning events in MP as on November 30 were detected in districts of Gwalior-Chambal region. Jabalpur district in Mahakoshal region, adjoining Hoshangabad district of central MP and Satna district in Vindhya region were close behind the districts of Gwalior-Chambal region. According to informed sources, MP having the dubious distinction of being the leader in paddy stubble burning isnt a new phenomenon, but has been happening at least since the last two years. The state government tabled figures related to cases registered against those indulging in Parali burning since April 2020 in the Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday. A total of 546 such cases were registered against offenders in various parts of the state in little less than five years. Out of those 546 cases, as many as 506 cases were registered between December 2023 and November 2025. According to Gwalior district collector Ruchika Chauhan, the Parali burning incidents have declined significantly this year compared to last two years, due to multi-pronged efforts by authorities, including imposing penalties ranging between Rs 5,000 and Rs 15,000 based on area of cultivation, use of harvesters having machines to ensure that crop residue is negligible and sustained awareness campaigns.

Organisers of Bhopal gas tragedy anniversary rally booked as effigy resembles RSS worker

Two effigies were seen in the rally one portraying the U.S.-based Dow Chemical, and other of a man in white shirt and khaki half-pants

Bhopal Looks to Shake Off Gas Tragedy Tag

Bhopal marks 41 years since gas tragedy as city hopes to shed toxic legacy after waste removal

Who is Kriti Sanons jiju-to-be? Meet Stebin Ben

Speculation is rife as Nupur Sanon, sister of Kriti Sanon, is reportedly set to marry singer Stebin Ben. Preparations for a grand wedding are underway in Udaipur for January 8-9, 2026. Ben, known for hits like 'Sahiba' and 'Baarish Ban Jaana', began his journey in Bhopal and rose to prominence through viral covers and playback singing for major Bollywood stars.

Confrontation mars Bhopal Gas Tragedy anniversary march over effigy resembling RSS worker

BHOPAL: A peaceful march marking the 41st anniversary of the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy on Wednesday was marred by a noisy confrontation between the RSS-BJP workers and members of organisations working for the survivors of the worst industrial tragedy. The noisy encounter was triggered by an effigy, which the BJP and RSS workers claimed portrayed a RSS Swayamsevak, and consequently hurt the religious and organisational sentiments. The representatives of the organisations working for the gas tragedy survivors, however, rejected the RSS-BJP workers allegations, stating that the effigy represented those responsible for the tragedy and was not aimed at targeting any particular outfit or organisation. Just like the previous anniversaries, the organisations working for the gas tragedy survivors took out the remembrance march from the Bharat Talkies underbridge to JP Nagar Gas Memorial in the Madhya Pradesh capital. As the march began, one of the two symbolic effigies carried by the survivors enraged local BJP and RSS workers, who claimed the procession hurt their sentiments. The ruling party and its parent organisations workers, while accusing the organisers of deliberately getting an effigy which was portrayed as an RSS worker, confronted the marchs organisers, demanding that the concerned effigy be removed immediately. A local BJP leader, Ashish Thakur, who was among those who protested the inclusion of the concerned effigy in the march, accused the marchs organisers of vitiating the atmosphere by intentionally carrying the concerned effigy, which resembled an RSS Swayamsevak. The march organisers, however, denied the BJP-RSS workers allegations. The effigy represented the companies responsible for the tragedy and those who aligned with them and didnt target any particular outfit, said Bhopal Group for Information and Action representative Rachna Dhingra. The 1984 tragedy survivors, who formed part of the march, carried banners which blamed the ruling BJP of betraying the cause of the survivors, colluding with those who caused the tragedy and neglecting the interests of the thousands of survivors of the worst industrial tragedy. With the noisy confrontation on the brink of snowballing into a major incident, the police stepped in and seized the effigy. The police officers, however, remained tight-lipped about the entire development. Angered over the effigy, the RSS-BJP workers demanded that a case be registered against those responsible for getting the concerned effigy in the march.

Air fares surge after IndiGo cancellations; 1.03 lakh for HyderabadBhopal ticket

On Bhopal gas tragedy eve, survivors groups slam BJP over denial of justice

Bhopal: On the eve of the 41st anniversary of the Bhopal gas tragedy, four organisations representing survivors on Monday accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of denying them justice and prolonging their suffering, a charge stoutly denied by the saffron party. At least 5,479 people died and thousands were maimed for life after the Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Clashes Break Out At Rally Marking 41 Years of Bhopal Gas Tragedy

The rally to mark the 41st anniversary of the Bhopal gas tragedy turned into a heated political confrontation after RSS and BJP workers clashed with gas victims' organisations over an effigy carried during the march.

Bhopal Gas Relief Scam: Hospitals With No Doctors, Yoga Centres Turned Wedding Halls

Four decades after the Union Carbide disaster, documents accessed by NDTV expose a massive collapse of Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal Gas Relief and Rehabilitation programme

HSBC INDIA Expands its Presence in Gujarat with a New Branch in Vadodara

HSBC India on Saturday unveiled its new branch in Vadodara, Gujarat, marking a significant step in its strategic expansion across the country. This launch signifies the banks 27th branch in India and its second in Gujarat, following Reserve Bank of Indias approval earlier this year to open 20 new bank branches in key cities. Chef Ranveer Brar, Her Highness Radhikaraje Gaekwad, Maharani of Baroda & Sandeep Batra, Head, International Wealth & Premier Banking, HSBC India, at the branch inauguration Vadodara, known for its rapid economic growth and industrial prowess, is emerging as a significant hub for wealth creation. The city is home to a burgeoning population of affluent, High Net Worth (HNW), Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW), and non-resident clients in one of Indias rapidly growing wealth and industrial hubs. HSBCs new branch is strategically positioned to meet the financial and wealth needs of this customer segment. The expansion reinforces HSBCs focus on the wealth opportunity in India, where it is the leading international bank offering a full spectrum of solutions and services to clients across International Wealth and Premier Banking, and Corporate and Institutional Banking. Commenting on the launch, Sandeep Batra, Head of International Wealth and Premier Banking, HSBC India , said, As entrepreneurial spirit and innovation continue to drive economic growth and personal wealth, affluent customers are increasingly adopting a global outlook. They are seeking a trusted partner who is able to consistently serve them across jurisdictions. Our new branch in Vadodara reflects our commitment to being closer to our customers and delivering world-class banking solutions tailored to their unique needs. As the leading international bank in India, we remain focused on enabling our clients to unlock opportunities and achieve their aspirations, both in India and internationally . With this addition, HSBC now has a network of 27 branches across 15 cities in India. HSBC has maintained a strong presence in India for over 170 years, supporting customers in their financial journeys both locally and globally. Further HSBC India will open branches in Amritsar, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Dehradun, Faridabad, Indore, Jalandhar, Kanpur, Ludhiana, Lucknow, Mysuru, Nagpur, Nashik, Navi Mumbai, Patna, Rajkot, Surat, Thiruvananthapuram and Vishakhapatnam. About HSBC India HSBC India offers a full range of banking and financial services through 27 branches across 15 cities. HSBC is one of India's leading financial services groups, with around 44,000 employees in its banking, investment banking and capital markets, asset management, insurance, software development and global resourcing operations in the country. It is a leading custodian in India. The Bank is at the forefront in arranging deals for Indian companies investing overseas and foreign investments into the country. About HSBC Holdings plc HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of HSBC, is headquartered in London. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 60 countries and territories. With assets of US$3,099bn at 30 September 2024, HSBC is one of the worlds largest banking and financial services organisations.

Senior citizens make a master stroke at swim meet

When the whistle blew, swimmers dove in, aiming to finish first. Among them, Vidya Gajapathi Raju Singh, princess of Vijayanagaram, powered ahead with efficient strokes and flutter kicks to win gold in the 50m freestyle at the 21st National Masters Swim Meet in Hyderabad held between November 21 and 23. The 72-year-old won four medals in the womens category: gold in 50m freestyle, 50m breaststroke, 100m breaststroke, and silver in 100m freestyle. At first glance, the Masters Swim Meet appears to be any other sporting event. But the story behind each splash is different. These athletes aged 25 years and above are individuals who returned to the water at a different phase in life, simply because they never stopped swimming. Among them is 76-year-old Arun Krishnan, one of Indias oldest Ironman triathletes, who has competed in the Masters for over a decade. I started swimming at the age of 13, when I was in the College of Engineering, Guindy. I used to participate in competitions. And then, I made it to the state-level competition in those days, he recalls. From intercollegiate to national-level championship, it is his years of discipline, stamina, and personal rigour that have built his competitive spirit. For the past 10 years, I have been swimming in various age categories. Starting from 60-65, to now 75-79, he adds. As a triathlete, swimming is an integral part of Aruns training. Swimming is something very essential, and I keep in touch with it, he notes. His favourite is the 400m freestyle, where endurance, rhythm, and an almost meditative focus are prerequisites. He shares, For longer distances like 400 metres, the idea is to keep on pushing right throughout. And you get into a nice rhythm. It is very blissful. At this edition of the Masters, he walked away with two silvers in the 400m freestyle and 200m freestyle in the 75-79 category. Hurdles and motivation The win came at a moment when the lack of support laid bare the gaps in the system. The Tamil Nadu government did not extend any support. When players from Karnataka and other states wore state jerseys in matching colours, we were the only people who didnt, he rues. What disappoints him more is the absence of a state-assembled Masters team. I dont think I have ever seen a Tamil Nadu state team. Sufficient importance is not given to the masters because we are not exactly going to bring laurels at a national-level meet. Arun presses for the governments initiative to form a team. He wishes, If we had a team, we could have secured several points and eventually won the championship. Despite these hurdles, the meet remains deeply motivating. Arun reflects on competitors who inspire him. Most of the people who do well there are those who have been national champions. I have learned from the competitor who beat me, who won the gold this year. The person was a national champion about 40 years ago. Their longevity in the sport, he notes, is not accidental. What I learnt is that these people keep in touch with the sport and remain fit. Some of them even work for the government and government organisations. And if they secure a victory at the Masters Meet, I think that helps them with their promotions. For Arun, the meet is also about health as much as medals. It is essentially fitness and also helps in mental faculties. I have learned from doctors that aerobic exercises help in keeping oneself mentally alert right throughout. Vidya Gajapathi Raju Grit and glory With the same level of enthusiasm for fitness, Vidya added swimming as another dimension to my fitness routine 15 years ago, and I found I was really enjoying it. Her relationship with water began quite early. From the age of four or five, Ive been swimming. I grew up with a swimming pool at home, but I never used it for exercise, as I was a tennis player. Then, 10 years ago, we (from Madras Club) went for our first national Masters event in Bhopal. Since then, she has participated in eight national Masters competitions. The competitive and encouraging environment makes her want to return every year. Its highly inspiring because there are about 800 to 900 swimmers who come from all over India. Its extraordinary, she says. Vidya admits that each year she learns something new from her fellow players and levels up her game in each competition. She celebrates the diversity among the swimmers. A lot of these swimmers have come out of national events; some have represented India in international swimming events, a lot of sports quota students and job seekers, some of them are coaches, and then there are people, like me, who are recreational swimmers. Vidyas practice sessions reflect her passion for the sport. Her workouts at the Madras Club involve swimming 80 lengths of the club pool, which is a 2km swim in freestyle and breaststroke. At this point, I feel I am fitter today at 72 than I was when I was 30, she says. Along with Arun and Vidya, Venkataraman and Geetha Venkataraman from Tamil Nadu also participated. Their journey shows the true spirit of the Masters Meet. They not just strive for records, but the pursuit of possibilities. These participants in water find a version of themselves that is alive, fitter, and is learning throughout.

Sustainable Management of Urban Pollution

Dr. Banarsi Lal Every year 2nd of December is observed as the National Pollution Control Day in India.This day is observed in the memory of people who lost their lives in Bhopal gas calamity.Bhopal gas tragedy occurred in the year 1984 on the night of 2-3 December.Many people died due to harmful gas Methyl Isocyanate also known as MIC.Bhopal Gas Tragedy is considered as one of the biggest industrial pollution disasters.On the night of December 2-3,1984, a toxic gas leak [] The post Sustainable Management of Urban Pollution appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

MP dissolved nine caste-based welfare boards without spending allocated funds, state tells assembly

BHOPAL: As many as nine caste/community-specific social welfare boards, which were formed by the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led government just a month before the 2023 Vidhan Sabha polls in Madhya Pradesh, were dissolved on September 17, 2025, without receiving even a single rupee during their 23 months of existence. The disclosure was made in the state governments reply to a question by Congress MLA Pratap Grewal during the ongoing winter session of the Vidhan Sabha in Bhopal. A total of 12 boards were created in April and October 2023 by the then Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP regime. These included the MP Kush Kalyan Board for the welfare of the Kushwaha community, Swarnakala Board for the Soni community, Telghani Board for the Sahu caste, Maa Puri Vayee Keer Board for the Keer community, Jai Minesh Board for the Meena community, Vishwakarma Board for the Vishwakarma community and Veer Tejaji Board for the Jats. They also included the Rajak Samaj Kalyan Board and Maa Ahilya Devi Board for the Pal community, the Devnarayan Board for the Gurjar community, the Maharana Pratap Kalyan Board and the Jain Samaj Kalyan Board. Out of these, nine boards formed in October 2023 were allotted Rs 8.34 crore in 2023, but not even a single rupee of those funds was released until the boards were dissolved in September 2025. The information shared by Minister of State for Skill Development and Employment Gautam Tetwal in a written reply revealed that there was no information about any beneficiary being identified, selected or provided aid under any welfare scheme of the nine boards. While not a single district-level meeting was held by any of the nine boards during the 23 months, three boards held state-level meetings on September 9, 2024, and three others conducted similar meetings in February to March 2025. Three other boards, including the Maharana Pratap Board, Rajak Samaj Kalyan Board and the Telghani Board, did not hold even a single meeting during their entire existence. Among the nine boards, the Maharana Pratap Board failed to appoint its head and secretary in 23 months, while no members were appointed in the Telghani and Jai Minesh Boards. The Rajak Kalyan and Veer Tejaji Kalyan Boards had just one member each instead of the required four. Further, outsourced staff were hired 18 months after formation in November 2024 and then relieved of duties within a few months, between April and August 2025. Importantly, a majority of the boards operated from the AVN Tower in MP Nagar, Bhopal, which houses the headquarters of the Skill Development Directorate. Two boards functioned from privately rented buildings, despite having no operational activity. Congress MLA Pratap Grewal, who shared with journalists the details of the reply given by Minister Gautam Tetwal, said the reply makes it clear that the caste- and community-specific welfare boards were formed solely to secure votes in the 2023 Assembly polls. The specific caste-communities were cheated just for political gain. BJP people were appointed as chairman and members of the board and were given facilities like vehicles, honorarium allowance, telephone, etc., and their work was done through them. In the name of welfare of the board, the amount of Rs 8.34 crore received by the concerned department was not deposited in the board, due to which not a single person from the societies benefited. Now after two years, the dissolution of the boards makes it clear that BJP has done the condemnable act of insulting the societies in the name of the board, he said.

900 tonnes of toxic ash post-incineration of Union Carbide waste causes unease in MP town

INDORE: About 900 tonnes of toxic ash generated in the process of incinerating waste from the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal five months ago is still lying around in Pithampur industrial hub in Madhya Pradesh, anxiety in the area mounting with each passing day. Nearly five months ago, the toxic waste, soil and packaging material brought from the Bhopal unit, the site of the 1984 gas tragedy, was incinerated at a plant in Pithampur, an industrial town in adjoining Dhar district. The incineration of entire 358 tonnes of matter -- 337 tonnes of toxic waste, 19 tonnes of contaminated soil and 2.2 tonnes of packaging material -- from the defunct Union Carbide factory had concluded in the beginning of July, over six months after the consignment was transported from Bhopal. The waste was burned in an incinerator using a scientific process, mixing lime and other materials, producing approximately 900 tonnes of ash, officials said. They said the state government had planned to bury the generated ash in a landfill cell under construction on the premises of the Pithampur plant, located near Tarpura, a village with a population of about 20,000, in Dhar district. However, nearly two months back , the Madhya Pradesh High Court directed the state government to find an alternative site to dispose of the ash, saying its disposal near human habitation is unacceptable. According to officials, the ash is currently safely stored in the plant's leak-proof storage shed. At least 5,479 people were killed and thousands were maimed after the highly toxic methyl isocyanate gas leaked from the Union Carbide's pesticide factory in Bhopal on the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984, making it one of the biggest industrial disasters in the world. The Jabalpur bench of the high court on October 8 this year rejected a proposal to bury the ash of the toxic waste in a landfill cell being constructed on the Pithampur plant's premises, stating that the facility was too close to human habitation. The present containment site for the toxic ash in proximity to human habitation is unacceptable to this court, the HC said. In its order, the court referred to an interim application filed by an intervener, which stated that tests had found mercury levels in the toxic ash to be above the permissible limit. The application has been filed by the intervener, which discloses that the tests conducted on the toxic ash still reveal the presence of mercury, which is higher than the permissible limits as disclosed in the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board's report dated August 12, 2025, the HC said. It also directed the state government to file a report citing alternative sites for containment of this ash. Under the circumstances, the state is directed to file a report citing alternative sites for containment and also inform the court whether a global tender was floated in order to obtain the best technical expertise of companies/agencies, which may have unimpeachable technical prowess in executing a work of this nature and have dealt with similar cases of containment of toxic chemical waste, it said. The government officials refuse to comment on the disposal plan, saying the matter was sub judice. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, an official, however, told PTI on Tuesday that the contract awarded to a private company for the disposal of Union Carbide waste includes burying the ash in a dedicated landfill cell within the Pithampur plant premises, and that all safety standards are being observed during this construction. The construction of this landfill cell is in its final stages, he said. Pithampur, about 30 km from Indore, is a major industrial area in the state. This industrial area houses approximately 1,250 units, employing thousands of workers, including migrant workers from various states across the country. Social activists in Pithampur are not in favour of burying the ash in a landfill cell at a waste disposal unit adjacent to human habitation. Hemant Kumar Hirole, head of local organisation 'Pithampur Bachao Samiti', said the toxic ash should be disposed of in a secluded area, because in the event of an accident, a malfunction in the landfill cell could cause serious harm to the human population and the environment. Hirole's petition is among five petitions being heard simultaneously by the HC regarding the Union Carbide waste. He said, At present, we have no information on whether the state government has selected an alternative site for the disposal of the toxic ash. The state government should clarify the status soon. Over the past four decades, several plans to dispose of the toxic waste at plants in India and abroad were made and cancelled amid protests. However, it was finally incinerated and reduced to ashes this year at a waste disposal plant operated by a private company in Pithampur. The State Pollution Control Board officials claimed that emissions of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen fluoride, and nitrogen oxides, as well as mercury, cadmium, and other heavy metals, were found to be within standard limits during the incineration of the factory waste. They also said the incineration of Union Carbide factory waste at the Pithampur plant did not cause any adverse health effects to plant workers or residents of the surrounding areas. The waste was transported to the Pithampur plant, about 250 km from Bhopal, on January 2 this year. This led to several protests in Pithampur. Protesters expressed concerns about the potential harm to human populations and the environment from the disposal of this waste, a claim the state government flatly dismissed.

Bhopal Gas: Months After Incineration Of Union Carbide Toxic Waste, Disposal Of It's Ash Awaited

Tests conducted on the toxic ash still reveal the presence of mercury, which is higher than the permissible limits

VIT Bhopal violence: M.P. govt. says management's bid to cover up jaundice outbreak, insensitive attitude triggered violence

Acting on findings of a three-member panels report, the Madhya Pradesh Higher Education Department issued a show-cause notice to the institutions chancellor, demanding an explanation within seven days

One dead, three injured as major portion of over 50-year-old bridge collapses in MPs Raisen

BHOPAL: A major portion of a more than 50-year-old bridge collapsed in Madhya Pradeshs Raisen district on Monday, killing a 35-year-old man and injuring at least three others. While a three-member enquiry committee has been constituted to probe the matter, AA Khan, who is a manager of the MP Road Development Corporation (MPRDC) has been suspended. The portion of the bridge in Nayagaon area on the Bareli-Pipariya State Highway in Raisen district collapsed while a motorcycle and scooter were passing over it. At least four persons, all of them riding the two-wheelers, sustained serious injuries in the mishap. They were first rushed to Bareli Civil Hospital from where doctors referred some of them to AIIMS-Bhopal. One of the injured, identified as Devendra Dhakad (35), succumbed to wounds during the course of treatment at AIIMS-Bhopal. As per informed sources in Raisen district, Dhakad was returning to his village in Raisen after the Bidai ceremony of his sister, who was married on Sunday. The bridge, built in 1980, was under repair and maintenance work by the MPRDC, when its portion collapsed. The labourers working under the bridge, however, had a close shave. A sum of Rs 98 lakh was sanctioned for the repair and maintenance of the bridge, due to rusting of reinforcement slabs. Owing to the incident, the road traffic on the concerned route has been diverted through the old culvert in the Nayagaon Kalan village. The Raisen district collector Arun Kumar Vishwakarma and district police superintendent Ashutosh went to the spot and later took stock of the condition of the injured at the hospital. Subsequently, the state government suspended AA Khan, a manager at the MPRDC, and issued show-cause notices to the current and former divisional managers and assistant managers, official sources in Bhopal, said. Also, a three-member inquiry committee headed by chief engineer Gopal Singh has been constituted and given a weeks time to submit its fact-finding report.

NHRC issues notice to Railways over Bhopal complaint on halal-only non-veg train meals

Arjun Awardee Rajat Chauhan Ties Knot With Fellow Archer Swati Dudhwal In Jaipur

Arjun Awardee Rajat Chauhan: Arjun Award-winning compound archer Rajat Chauhan married fellow archer Swati Dudhwal in Jaipur. Both have won multiple medals for Rajasthan and India, bringing pride to the state and the country through their achievements in archery. The wedding celebrations were conducted with traditional splendour. The couple's wedding procession included several renowned archers, making the occasion even more memorable. A galaxy of archery stars, including Olympians Deepika Kumari, Atanu Das, Tarundeep Rai, and champions Rahul Banerjee, Jayanta Talukdar, Ojas Deotale, Aditi Swami, Prathamesh Fuge, and Prathamesh Jawkar and others gathered to celebrate the couple's union. Chauhan, who is Deputy Superintendent of Police in Rajasthan, has won championships, including an Asian Games silver medal and an individual silver at the world championships, along with two gold, two silver, and three bronze medals at the World Cup stage. Earlier this year, Chuahan, along with Aman Saini and Abhishek Verma, achieved two wins out of two at the Archery World Cups this season, securing a 232-230 victory over France in the final of the men's team compound event. At the 38th National Games in February, Chuahan demonstrated impressive skill, emerging victorious in the men's individual event. Swati, meanwhile, secured gold at the World Archery University Championships and bronze at the World Archery Youth Championships and Asian Grand Prix Circuit. In May this year, Swati won the bronze medal in the senior category at the Khelo India Womens National Ranking Archery Tournament held in Bhopal. Meanwhile, Chauhan's Olympic dream is coming true as compound archery is set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. He even got a tattoo of the iconic five Olympic rings on his right arm in 2016. The first-ever Olympic medal for compound archers will be awarded at the 2028 Olympic Games, following the International Olympic Committees announcement that the compound mixed team event will be added to the archery programme in Los Angeles. The compound mixed team event joins the existing five recurve categories mens and womens individual, mens and womens team, and mixed team on the programme, increasing the total number of archery medals to six. The first-ever Olympic medal for compound archers will be awarded at the 2028 Olympic Games, following the International Olympic Committees announcement that the compound mixed team event will be added to the archery programme in Los Angeles. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Archery was reintroduced to the Olympic programme in 1972 with recurve mens and womens individual events. Team competitions were added in 1988, and a fifth archery medal, the recurve mixed team, made its debut at Tokyo 2020. The inclusion of the mixed team format for compound archery ensures that gender equality and athlete quotas are maintained in LA. Article Source: IANS

MP CM Mohan Yadavs son marries in mass ceremony, marking departure from lavish political weddings

BHOPAL: In a significant departure from the extravagant five-star and destination weddings often associated with the families of political heavyweights, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadavs son, Dr Abhimanyu Yadav, married his bride, Dr Ishita Yadav, at a mass marriage ceremony in the familys home city of Ujjain on Sunday. Abhimanyu and Ishita were among 21 couples from various Hindu communities who tied the knot at the vibrant ceremony held in Sawarakhedi, Ujjain. The newly married couples, including the CMs son and daughter-in-law, received blessings from prominent Hindu seers and religious leaders. Among them were Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev, Hindu Rashtra proponent and religious preacher Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri Bageshwar Dham Sarkar, and Akhara Parishad head Mahant Ravindra Puri Maharaj. The event was also graced by several distinguished guests, including Union ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia and D.D. Uikey, Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel, Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot, and MP Vidhan Sabha Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar. While congratulating all the newly married couples, Governor Mangubhai Patel praised Chief Minister Mohan Yadav for setting a fine example of social harmony by arranging his younger sons marriage at a mass wedding ceremony. Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev, who chanted Vedic mantras to solemnise the 21 weddings under a single sprawling mandap, said the gesture offered an inspiring model for influential, political and affluent families in the country. This model can help reduce extravagance in weddings and motivate middle- and lower-middle-class families. The CMs gesture reflects the true spirit of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas , he stated. Religious preacher Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri Bageshwar Dham Sarkar said that collective, low-cost weddings should be encouraged across all sections of society. He asserted that the country now needs innovative ways of thinking, and that through this mass ceremony, the message of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is being realised, with social harmony rising above all discrimination. The ceremony also witnessed Akhara Parishad general secretary Swami Hari Giri Maharaj announcing a contribution of 1 lakh for each of the 21 newly married couples.

Construction work on Kozhikode-Wayanad tunnel road moving at a fast pace

KOZHIKODE: The construction of Keralas ambitious Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi four-lane tunnel road, envisioned as a long-awaited alternative to the heavily congested Thamarassery Ghat, is progressing rapidly in Kozhikode. Machinery for rock excavation, labour camps, first-aid centres, and office containers have already arrived at the project site at Marippuzha, where the initial phase of work has begun. Estimated at a cost of Rs 2,134 crore, the tunnel aims to provide a seamless travel experience through one of the states most challenging hilly terrains. Once completed, the route is expected to greatly ease the persistent traffic issues at the Thamarassery churam and offer a safe and smooth passage in all weather conditions, one of its most significant advantages. Bhopal-headquartered Dilip Buildcon Limited has been awarded the construction contract for the tunnel project, while the contract for the four-lane steel arch bridge across the Iruvazhinji river at Marippuzha has been given to Punia Construction Company. The public works department (PWD) is overseeing the project, with funding provided by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). According to PWD officials, the tunnel is expected to be fully completed within four years, provided the current pace of work continues. The project involves the construction of an 8.73-km-long four-lane tunne, on the Wayanad side, will link to Meppadi-Kalladi-Chooralmala road (SH-59), while in Kozhikode district, it will connect to the Marippuzha-Muthappanpuzha-Anakkampoyil route.

After Delhi blast connection, Nuh linked to MP cybercrimes

BHOPAL: Haryanas Nuh district, which is under glare as an operational base of the white-collar terror module linked to 10/11 Delhi blast case, has also come out as the nucleus of Madhya Pradeshs biggest-ever inter-state cybercrime ring. MP polices cybercrime unit has traced masterminds of the racket to Nuh. The cyber fraud ring involved over 1000 bank accounts of people in Vindhya and Mahakoshal region of MP, being used as mule accounts to park and circulate fraud money. More than 25 people from MP, Haryana and Bihar have been arrested and charge-sheeted. As the investigations progress, its becoming clear that operatives based in Nuh are the masterminds of the racket. They sourced SIM cards and mule accounts mostly from MP and used them for their inter-state racket, said a MP police involved in the probe. The men in Nuh operated an illegal call centre at a flat in Gurugram, which was used to make calls to people for duping them. The SIM cards, sourced by operatives in MP and other states, reached the kingpins through middlemen based in Patna. The mule bank accounts served as the pipeline through which more than Rs 3,000 crore was routed. The funds were actually proceeds of cybercrimes committed in various parts of the country, religious charity money as well as money from unknown sources suspected to have been used possibly for terror funding. Large sum of money was routed through mule accounts to the Middle East, the officer added. The fraudsters also operated shell companies in Hyderabad and parts of Maharashtra. The 25-plus men arrested over the last 11 months have been charge-sheeted. Now we are going to zero in on the racket masterminds in Nuh, he said. Years back it was Jamtara in Jharkhand, but crackdown saw newer hotspots in West Bengal. Over last couple of years Nuh and adjoining Rajasthan districts have emerged as the cybercrime hub, SP (cybercrime cell) Pranay Nagwanshi said.

Land dispute turns killer in MPs Tikamgarh, three middle-aged siblings murdered

BHOPAL:Three brothers aged between 35 and 44 years were reportedly killed when a dispute pertaining to ownership of an agricultural land turned violent in Simara Khurd village of Madhya Pradeshs Tikamgarh district on Sunday. The three brothers, identified as Chaturbhuj (35), Paramlal (37) and Balram Lodhi (44), were killed after a group of men and women armed with sharp-edged weapons attacked them in Simara Khurd village under Jatara police station area. Four more members of the Lodhi community family, including Chaturbhujs wife Rekha Lodhi, their 17-year-old son Karan, Paramlals wife Chunnibai and 7-year-old daughter Sneha were injured while trying to save the three siblings during the attack. The condition of all four injured is stated critical at the Tikamgarh district hospital. A case has been registered under BNS Sections against seven persons, including two women. As per Tikamgarh police sources, at least two suspects have been detained for questioning. The incident happened when the three brothers tried to stop the rival group from cultivating on the disputed six bighas of agricultural land. According to Laxmi Prasad Lodhi, the brother of the three deceased siblings, the concerned land was originally owned by their uncle Ghanshyam, who had no kids. After Ghanshyams death, his nephews inherited the land, but the other group got the land fraudulently transferred in their name.

Jamiat chief Madanis jihad remark draws sharp criticism from Pasmanda Muslims

Barabanki/Bareilly: A section of Muslim leaders condemned Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (MM) chief Maulana Mahmood Madanis recent remarks against the states bulldozer action and the use of word jihad, saying they could incite unrest among the community. Ulema-e-Hind (MM) chief Maulana Mahmood Madani, during a meeting of Jamiat (MM) in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, on Saturday, accused certain Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Haryanas Nuh emerges as key operational base in white-collar terror module

BHOPAL:The Nuh district of Haryana has emerged as an alleged hideout, operational base for sourcing materials and recruitment ground for the white collar modules operatives. This comes against the investigations' progress into the white-collar terror module and the 10/11 Delhi blast case. The same southeastern Haryana district has also turned out to be the nucleus of Madhya Pradeshs biggest-ever inter-state cyber crime ring, which was busted by the police in early 2025. As the MP polices cyber crime unit accelerates its probe into the inter-state racket, men operating from Nuh (Haryana) have emerged as the kingpins and masterminds, which is believed to be worth more than Rs 3000 crore. Anatomy of a white collar terror module The cyber fraud ring involved more than 1000 bank accounts of people in the Vindhya and Mahakoshal region of MP, being used as mule accounts to park and circulate fraud money and hundreds of SIM cards sourced from MP were used by cyber fraudsters for committing crimes across the country. More than 25 persons, hailing from MP, Haryana and Bihar, have so far been arrested and charge-sheeted in the court in MP. The men in Nuh (mostly school dropouts) operated an illegal call centre at a flat in Gurugram, which was used to make calls to people for duping them via various kinds of cyber-crimes, including job offers, gaming and cryptocurrency investment frauds, etc. The SIM cards, which were sourced by the rackets kingpins from their operatives in MP and other states, reached through middlemen based in the Bihar capital Patna. Cybercrime police bust ATM card cloning racket, nab onefrom Haryana The bank accounts, which were used as mule accounts (around 70 per cent of them were originally held by low-income people in MPs Vindhya and Mahakoshal regions), served as the pipeline through which more than Rs 3,000 crore was routed to various destinations. The funds which were rotated through these accounts were actually proceeds of cybercrime committed in various parts of the country, religious charity money, as well as money from unknown sources suspected to have been used possibly for terror funding. A large sum of money was actually routed through the mule accounts to the Middle East, a MP police officer added. The men operating from Nuh even operated shell companies/firms in Hyderabad and parts of Maharashtra. These shell firms/companies were particularly used for cyber fraud and the transfer of illicit money. The 25-plus men who have been arrested in the case over the last 11 months have already been charge-sheeted in the court. Now we are going to zero in upon the real kingpins/masterminds of the racket in Nuh, the officer maintained. As per MP police sources, its not the first time that Nuhs name has cropped up in a major cybercrime case. Nuh has gradually emerged as a prime cybercrime hotspot in the country. Years back, it was Jamtara in Jharkhand, but a sustained crackdown witnessed newer hotspots emerge in West Bengal, adjoining parts of Odisha and later some parts of western UP. But over the last couple of years, Nuh in Haryana and adjoining districts of Rajasthan have come out as the prime cyber-crime hub of India, Madhya Pradesh polices SP (state cyber crime cell) Pranay Nagwanshi said. Children are linked to cybercrime in at least three of every 3,000 cases, say experts

Jamiat-Ulama-Hind chief Maulana Madanis remarks on judiciary and SC trigger political storm

BHOPAL: A major political storm has erupted after Jamiat Ulama-Hind president Maulana Mahmood Asad Madani, accused the Supreme Court of functioning under government pressure and added that it didnt deserve to be called as Supreme, if it failed to enforce the Constitution fully. Addressing the national governing body meeting of the Deobandi body, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, in Bhopal on Saturday, he said, Supreme Court is entitled to be called as Supreme only until it upholds the Constitution and the rights enshrined in the law. The court verdicts in the last few years, including those on the Babri Mosque and Triple Talaq, have led to a common belief that the judiciary is working under government pressure. It has put a question mark on the role of the judiciary in the country, Madani said. While claiming that attempts aimed at igniting and spreading hatred against Islam and Muslims have intensified, he said that the sacred Islamic concept of Jihad was being intentionally distorted and equated with terrorism. Muslims are being defamed with terms like Love Jihad, Land Jihad and Spit Jihad. In Islam, the term Jihad implies struggle against injustice and oppression; whenever oppression happens, there will be Jihad. Hindu neighbour gifts land after Muslim journalist's house demolished by authorities in Jammu Madani also opposed government attempts to regulate Waqf properties. Waqf is a trust created by Muslims. Interference in it will not be tolerated. While maintaining that the countrys present situation is concerning, particularly as Muslims are being made to feel insecure. They are being deliberately targeted through economic boycott, bulldozer action, mob lynching and hate campaign. Full freedom, on the other hand, is being given to certain groups who are indulgent in Ghar Vapasi activities. None is questioning them, nor is any action being initiated against them. While referring to the ongoing process of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls, Madani said, Apni hi basti mein apni hi basti ke log pochote hain kaun si basti ke ho, kya naam hai. Voh SIR bhi chalaya hua hai. (People from the same locality are questioning From which locality are you from? What is your name? The SIR process is also underway. He also reiterated the minority communitys opposition to singing the national song Vande Mataram. Madanis speech drew a sharp reaction from the ruling BJP. Maulana Madani has said that the Supreme Court has no right to be called Supreme. The apex court should take suo motu cognisance of this statement by Maulana Madani and conduct a hearing on it, BJPs national spokesperson Sambit Patra said. In Madhya Pradesh, the minister for cooperation, sports and youth welfare, Vishwas Sarang, while condemning Madanis remarks, said, Disrespecting the Constitution and attacking the Supreme Court is unfortunate. If you are living in India, you need to abide by the Constitution. You eat from this land but sing for someone else, will not be tolerated. NC defends admission of Muslim students to Vaishno Devi Medical College, cites govt funding

29 Voters Registered at Single Address in Bhopal: Digvijaya

He visited polling booth 189 in Pushpa Nagar in Narela on Saturday to look into the matter

Class VIII student jumps from third floor of MP's Ratlam school, fearing action over mobile phone

Bhopal: A national-level teen skater and Class VIII student, Rishan Katara, jumped from the third floor of his school building in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, moments after his father was called in to discuss the issue of the boy bringing and using a mobile phone on the campus on Friday. The 14-year-old, who suffered multiple fractures in his legs, spine and jaw, was admitted to a private hospital in Ratlam and referred by doctors to Ahmedabad on Saturday for advanced treatment. The incident occurred around ten days before he was scheduled to participate in a national-level skating competition in Visakhapatnam. Angered by the incident, local residents and activists of the tribal outfit Jai Adivasi Yuva Shakti (JAYS) staged a protest outside the private school, demanding an FIR against the principal and action by the school education department. The boy was punished by the school for bringing a mobile phone and using it in the school. Not only was his father called to discuss the issue, but the boy too was mentally tortured by the school staff, including the principal. From what we know, the school administration threatened to take away the medals of the talented skater, a JAYS leader alleged during the protest. Some other protesters, including a woman, alleged that despite the boy apologising multiple times on Thursday to teachers and the principal for bringing and using a mobile phone on the campus, he was still mentally tortured and threatened. According to Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Archana Harit, As per the primary information with us, the teenager had brought a phone to the school, due to which the schools female principal had called his father to the school on Friday. Possibly the teenager panicked due to it and jumped from the third floor. Were further probing the incident. The students arent allowed to bring mobile phones in the school, even the teachers have to deposit their mobile phones before going to classes. The boy is a national-level skater, she said. Sources said the boy had brought a mobile phone to the school on Thursday, shot videos and uploaded them on social media, prompting the administration to summon his father the next day. Just as the father arrived to meet the school staff, the boy jumped from the third floor. According to the boys parents, their son is a promising national-level skater who has won multiple gold medals in state tournaments. He was practising hard for the national-level meet slated in Visakhapatnam ten days later, but this incident has left all his dreams shattered, they said. (If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050, Tele Manas - 14416 (available 24x7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences' helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)

SC seems to be working under govt pressure: Jamiat chief

Bhopal: Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president Maulana Mahmood Madani sparked a debate after he made remarks suggesting that the Supreme Court seems to be working under government pressure, hence, it does not deserve to be called supreme. Addressing the National Governing Body meeting of their organisation in Bhopal on Saturday, November 29, he also commented on the Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Cyber fraudsters cite terror links to target senior citizens

BHOPAL: Senior citizens in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are facing a new and highly unsettling cyber-fraud tactic, with criminals impersonating anti-terror investigators, placing victims under a so-called digital arrest, and extorting huge sums by falsely accusing them of involvement in terror funding. In Bhopal, the fear triggered by such calls has already claimed a life. Sixty-eight-year-old advocate Shiv Kumar Verma recently died by suicide at his home. A suicide note, purportedly penned by him, revealed the possibility of him being targeted by cyber fraudsters by threatening stringent action against him for funding the April 22 Pahalgam attack. According to investigators, the note and subsequent probe by Jahangirabad police suggested that fraudsters, possibly posing as anti-terror sleuths, had told him that his HDFC Bank account was being used for terror funding. With no one else at home and terrified of being labelled anti-national, Verma hanged himself. Police say it is the first suicide in Bhopal linked to digital arrest. At least five to seven similar incidents have surfaced in the city involving the elderly over the past 10 days. In Bhopals Kohfiza area, another elderly advocate received calls from men posing as anti-terror cops, but unlike Verma, he realised in time that the callers were fraudsters trying to con him. Others, however, were not so fortunate. A retired bank manager lost `68 lakhhis entire savingsafter being kept under digital arrest by callers who claimed to be investigating terror-related offences. A retired government servant lost around `8 lakh, and an elderly housewife has also reported being targeted in a similar manner. A cyber cell officer confirmed the modus operandi. Earlier, such fraudsters posing as cops or sleuths of investigation agencies extorted money from elderlies by triggering fear of their details having been used for money laundering, narcotics smuggling and human trafficking. But with sustained education and awareness about the menace of digital arrest, the cyber thugs novel modus operandi is creating fear of involvement in terror-related, particularly terror funding cases. Rajasthan has also reported similar incidents. In two to three cases in Jaipur and Udaipur, fraudsters have targeted the elderly by linking them to the Delhi blast case, said Shantanu Singh, SP (State CybercrimeJaipur). In Indore, police say the targeting is systematic. Additional DCP (Crime) Rajesh Dandotiya said, These gangs work in multi layers, one of those layers comprises men and women, who scan the social media activity of senior citizens. The fraudsters zero in on the victims and put them under a digital arrest.

Delhi inflation rate lower than other metros: Government report

NEW DELHI: The inflation rate in Delhi remained substantially lower than in other metro cities and the national average last year, especially in the fuel and light group, according to a government report. The report prepared by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics of the Delhi government, however, showed that the inflation rate rose in the food & beverages and housing sectors. The report assessed the Consumer Price Index (Industrial Workers IW) between Delhi and 14 other metros. These were Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Indore, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Varanasi, Amritsar and Lucknow. The report said that during 2024-25, CPI (IW), Kolkata, recorded the highest increase (3.6 per cent) while it was (3.4 per cent) at the All India level, followed by Mumbai (3.0 per cent), Delhi (1.8 per cent), and no change was observed in the case of Chennai. Among the selected cities assessed by the report, Delhi had the third lowest Consumer Price Index (IW) for the 2024 calendar year and the fifth lowest Consumer Price Index (IW) for the financial year 2024-25 out of the selected 15 major cities, while Lucknow and Chandigarh had the maximum Consumer Price Index (IW). A Consumer Price Index (CPI) is designed to measure changes over time in the general level of retail prices of selected goods and services that households purchase for consumption. In 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024, Delhi had lower inflation rates than All India. However, in 2022, Delhi had a higher inflation rate than All India. Last year, the inflation rate in Delhi was 1.7 per cent, and at the national level, it was 3.8 per cent. Inflation in Delhi, as measured by the CPI (IW), has ranged from 1.7 per cent to 8 per cent from 2020 to 2024. The price rise was recorded at 1.7 per cent in 2024, compared to 3.7 per cent in 2023. In the food and beverages group, an inflation rate of 5.6 per cent was observed in 2024, compared with 4.6 per cent in 2023. In the paan, supari, tobacco and intoxicant group, no variation was recorded in 2024, whereas the inflation rate was 3.7 per cent in 2023. However, the report observed that the inflation rate stood at 1.3 per cent in 2024, down from 5.1 per cent the previous year. In the housing group, an inflation rate of 3.1 per cent was observed in 2024, compared with 2.2 per cent in 2023. In the fuel and light group, a negative inflation rate of 20.1 per cent was observed in 2024, compared with 3.7 per cent in 2023. The miscellaneous group consists of items falling under the categories of medicines, medical services, education services, stationery, recreation, transport and communication, personal care effects, household requisites and other services -- hair cutting, tailoring, etc. In the miscellaneous group, Delhi recorded an inflation rate of 0.1 per cent, compared with 3.5 per cent in 2023.

Accused in 6-year-old's rape injured in shootout after attempting to escape custody in MP's Raisen

BHOPAL: After six days on the run, 23-year-old Salman, accused of abducting, raping, and critically injuring a six-year-old girl in Gauharganj, Raisen district, was arrested from the outskirts of Bhopal on Thursday night. Just hours after his arrest, while being taken in police custody from Bhopal to Gauharganj, Salman attempted to flee in the early hours of Friday in Obedullaganj, Raisen district. The escape bid ended after a short encounter that left him with a bullet wound in his leg. Tyre of the police vehicle in which Salman was being taken in custody from Bhopal to Gauharganj got punctured while passing through the forest area of Obedullaganj at around 3.15 am. Just when Salman was being shifted to another police vehicle, he snatched the gun from sub-inspector Shyamraj Singh and fired twice at the force. Alert cops subsequently opened fire, hitting his leg, and he fell down. He was taken into custody again and admitted to Hamidia Hospital in Bhopal, a senior police official in central Madhya Pradesh told TNIE on Friday. Earlier on Thursday night, the Gandhinagar police in Bhopal arrested Salman following specific inputs from local residents, after he was found searching for a room on rent. We were seated in a tea shop when he came and enquired about renting a room. When asked for ID, he said he didnt have any. We had seen pictures of the absconding accused on TV and newspapers. Suspecting it was him, we alerted the police, who soon arrived and caught him, local residents Rizwan and Asif told a TV channel. Deputy Inspector General Prashant Khare (DIG-Narmadapuram Range) said the arrest was made based on specific intelligence. VIDEO | Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: An accused in the Raisen minor assault case arrested after encounter as he tried to escape from the police. The injured accused has been admitted to a hospital. More details are awaited. #BhopalNews #MadhyaPradeshNews (Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/OV77WynAc7 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 28, 2025 A Rs 30,000 bounty had been declared on Salman, who had been on the run since November 21, when he allegedly abducted, raped, and severely injured the six-year-old girl in the jungles near Gauharganj. The victim is currently recuperating at AIIMS-Bhopal. The case had sparked massive protests in Gauharganj since November 21, with a large number of women joining Hindu outfits to demand Salmans arrest. On Wednesday, the protests turned violent when residents and activists tried to enter a Muslim-dominated locality, prompting police to resort to a cane charge. The mob reportedly pelted stones at police officers. Multiple police teams from Raisen and neighbouring Harda and Betul districts were searching for Salman, who has a past record of theft and criminal assault. Teams even extended their search to Gujarat, following continuous intelligence inputs. On Tuesday night, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav expressed strong displeasure over the handling of the case and associated road blockades. The SP of Raisen, Pankaj Pandey, was removed and attached to the state PHQ as an Assistant Inspector General (AIG), while Deputy Commissioner of Police Ashutosh (DCP Bhopal Zone I) was appointed the new SP of Raisen district.

Madhya Pradesh: Labourer Who Lured, Raped Raisens 6-Year-Old Shot During Escape Bid In Bhopal

Raisen rape case accused Salman was injured in a short police encounter after attempting to escape custody during transport to Goharganj. The fugitive, arrested in Bhopal, is now being treated at Hamidia Hospital.

Long wait for fertilizer turns deadly for 58-year-old tribal woman in Madhya Pradeshs Guna district

BHOPAL: A 58-year-old tribal woman, Bhuriya Bai Saharia, sleeping outside a fertilizer distribution centre, after not getting urea fertilizer for two consecutive days, died on the intervening night of Wednesday-Thursday in Guna district of Madhya Pradesh. The tragic incident happened just a few hours after the local MP and union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, had arrived in his constituency. Bhuriya Bai belonged to the Saharia tribe, one of the three particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) residing in MP. According to her relatives, she had first lined up at the fertilizer distribution centre in Bageri village on Tuesday, but had to return empty handed to her village, located around 20 km away. She reportedly lined up again at the centre on Wednesday, but couldnt get the fertilizer yet again. Instead of returning home, she stayed back like others and slept outside the centre on Wednesday night, hoping that she would be among the first ones on Thursday morning to get the fertilizer from the centre. However, she fell ill while sleeping outside the centre. Her relatives said that they called an ambulance, which never came. Later another farmer rushed her in his private vehicle to the health centre in Bamori. With her condition deteriorating, she was referred by doctors to Guna city, where she died at the hospital in the early hours. According to Guna district collector Kishor Kanyal, She was already ill and didnt know that her blood sugar level was as high as 450. She was admitted to hospital, where she died. Were repeatedly telling people not to panic as there is no need to stay back in the night outside the distribution centres. There is no shortage of urea, since were daily getting 30-35 trucks of urea. In the last 55 days, 30,000 MT urea has been distributed in our district and there is adequate availability of fertilizer presently, Kanyal said. We are likely to get one more rake of urea in the next few days, he added. Scindia also confirmed that there is no shortage of fertilisers. Ive asked the Guna district collector to increase the number of distribution counters in the double lock centres. We still have 15,000 MT fertilizer. There isnt need to panic, as a regular supply of fertilizer is being maintained, he said. Im monitoring from Delhi, the availability of fertilizer for all three districts, Guna, Shivpuri and Ashoknagar. There is also a need to gradually shift from chemical fertilizers to organic farming for sustainable agriculture. The opposition and ruling party MLAs, both questioned the government claims of sufficient fertilizer availability in Guna. If there is sufficient fertilizer available, then why are farmers lining up at the centres and even sleeping outside the centres in the night, Congress MLA from Bamori (Guna) Rishi Agrawal questioned. At a public event in Guna city on Thursday, the second-time BJP MLA Pannalal Shakya raised the issue from the stage of event where Scindia too was present. The woman died while yearning for fertilizer in the night hours. The district collector is sitting here, let him answer me, if your system is functioning properly why are the lines of farmers visible outside the distribution centres., Shakya questioned. We want a reply, if not here, well get it in the coming Vidhan Sabha session, he added.

Madhya Pradesh: Two dead as dense fog causes fatal collision on Indore-Bhopal NH

A tragic pre-dawn accident at Madhya Pradesh IndoreBhopal National Highway left two dead and three critically injured when a speeding car hit a truck in heavy fog near Sehore. Police say poor visibility and sudden braking by the truck contributed to the crash

Newton School Crosses 4,500 Tech Placements, Highest Package Crosses Rs 1.5 Crore

Newton School has achieved over 4,500 successful tech placements in the past four years, reaffirming its mission to bridge the gap between learning and employability through a skill-first, industry-integrated curriculum. Learners from Newton School have secured roles across 800+ leading companies, with top offers crossing Rs 1.5 Cr. The milestone highlights Newton Schools growing reputation as one of Indias most outcome-driven learning platforms. A large share of these outcomes come from two flagship programs, the 14-month Data Science & AI Program that builds industry-ready analysts and machine learning talent, and the Xcelerate Program, a fast-track upskilling track for Data and Software Development Professionals offering 23 weeks of intensive grooming and job referrals starting from Week 3 of enrolment. Nearly 60% of placed learners come from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, highlighting Newton Schools reach in creating access to high-quality tech careers beyond metros. The top 10 percentile of learners secured packages of Rs 18 LPA, with women making up 17% of the cohort --a steady indicator of growing gender diversity in technology roles. Additionally, around 40% of all successful placements have been in leading GCCs and Indias fast-growing tech unicorns and soonicorns, reflecting the industrys expanding confidence in Newton Schools talent pipeline. Since 2021, placement outcomes have grown consistently each year, with recruiters spanning top-tier companies such as Amazon, Flipkart, Infosys, Razorpay, EY, Bosch, TCS, ZS Associates, LTIMindtree, Accenture, Meesho, HCL Healthcare, Publicis Sapient, Genpact, Zomato, and PwC. Students have secured roles in software development, data analytics, product, and quality-assurance functions, reflecting multi-domain readiness and strong industry confidence. Newtons skill-to-hire model combines live projects, mentorship by working professionals and structured interview simulations to ensure graduates are job-ready from day one. The curriculum is designed in close collaboration with hiring teams and technology leaders across India to stay aligned with emerging skills in AI, data science, and product engineering. Recruiter satisfaction and repeat hiring across multiple cohorts continue to validate the scalability and consistency of the model. India does not have a talent problem, it has an opportunity problem. There are thousands of bright students outside the top colleges and big cities who never get a fair shot because their degree or pin code comes in the way. Crossing 4,500 tech placements tells us that when you bet on skills, not labels, you unlock a completely new talent pool for the industry. Our job is to keep building that bridge between learners and companies, so hiring a job-ready engineer from a Tier-3 town feels as natural as hiring from a marquee campus, said Nishant Chandra, Co-founder, Newton School. The outcomes are reflected in learner journeys such as Anuron, who moved from Vedanta to Amazon with a 300% salary increase; Rhea Chawla, who transitioned to Byborg in Luxembourg; Ashutosh Tiwari, who advanced from a Bhopal Start-up to Optum Global Solutions with a 155% hike; and Nikita, a Zoology graduate now a Business Analyst at Zepto. These stories capture the impact of Newton Schools learning-to-earning pathway, proving that skill-based education can transform both careers and lives. www.newtonschool.co .

Violent Protests Rock VIT Bhopal Over Jaundice Outbreak, Vehicles Set Ablaze

Protesters claimed that over two dozen students fell sick with jaundice symptoms in recent weeks.

SP removed as MP CM Mohan Yadav slams police over failure to arrest accused in six-year-olds rape case

BHOPAL: Inability of the police to arrest a 23-year-old youth who abducted a six-year-old girl and raped her before abandoning her in a serious condition in the jungles on November 21, led to the removal of Raisen district police superintendent Pankaj Pandey on Tuesday night. The Madhya Pradesh chief minister, Dr Mohan Yadav, chaired a high-level emergency law and order review meeting at the state Police Headquarters (PHQ) in Bhopal on Tuesday night, where he expressed displeasure with the police action so far in the case pertaining to the rape of the six-year-old girl in Raisen district of central MP. Not only did the CM express displeasure over the manner in which the case of a minors rape was dealt, even four days after the shocking incident, but he was also not satisfied with the police response to the road blockade in Raisens Mandideep area. He ordered the immediate removal of Raisen district police superintendent Pankaj Pandey, who has been attached to the state PHQ as an Assistant IG (AIG). The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for Bhopal Zone I, Ashutosh, will be the new SP of Raisen district. The CM further directed the immediate removal of the in-charge of Misrod police station in Bhopal. This action is being seen as the direct result of the Misrod polices failure to deal with cases of crime, particularly the recent vandalisation of property by armed youths at a caf. In connection with the Raisen incident, the CM expressed severe displeasure not only with the police's inability to apprehend the accused who has now remained at large for four days but also with their lax response in handling the massive public protests and road blockades that have affected the central MP district. Importantly, the 23-year-old youth identified as Salman, remains on the run, even four days after allegedly committing the gruesome crime with the six-year-old girl. On November 21, he had allegedly lured the minor (who was playing outside her house) to a nearby jungle with the promise of giving chocolate. Once in the jungle, Salman allegedly raped the minor and abandoned her there. While the minor is slowly recuperating from the mental and physical trauma at the AIIMS-Bhopal, massive protests have been reported by local residents, particularly women, outside the Gauharganj police station in Raisen district. The continued sit-in protests have been followed by violent protests and massive highway blockades. While the police initially used mild force (a baton charge) to clear the highway, the protesters quickly returned, forcing the deployment of personnel from five different police stations. Despite the reward on the absconding rape accused being increased to Rs30,000, he continues to be at large, with around 20 teams comprising 300 police personnel working on the case.

68-year-old Bhopal advocate dies by suicide after cyber fraud threats linked to terror funding

BHOPAL: Forty-one years after he performed the last rites of several people who died in the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy, a 68-year-old advocate, Shiv Kumar Verma, died by suicide at his residence in the Madhya Pradesh capital, due to threats from cyber fraudsters who claimed he would be implicated in the funding of the Pahalgam terror attack. Before hanging himself on Monday late night at his house in the Barkhedi area under Jahangirabad police station limits, Verma left behind a suicide note stating, Im ending my life, as someone has falsely opened an account in the HDFC Bank in my name and funded Pahalgam attack terrorist Asim Joji. I wont be able to bear being branded an anti-national. The same sheet of paper also mentioned that Verma had performed the last rites of several victims of the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy. According to staff at the Jahangirabad police station, who are probing the case, the primary investigation suggests the alleged role of cyber fraudsters who had threatened Verma over the phone and may also have kept him under digital arrest. The incident occurred while Vermas wife was away in Delhi. She had reportedly been calling him since Monday evening, and after receiving no response despite multiple attempts, she contacted the tenant living in the house. It was the tenant who subsequently found Verma hanging in his room. This is perhaps the first incident in Bhopal where fear induced by cyber fraudsters involved in digital arrest has resulted in a death by suicide. A senior officer from the Jahangirabad police station said the suicide note and Vermas mobile phone have been sent for detailed forensic analysis, particularly to trace and apprehend those who threatened him with false terror funding charges. According to Vermas relatives, the advocates son works in Pune, while his wife had travelled to Delhi to visit their daughter, who is married and lives in the national capital. This is the second instance in less than three weeks in Bhopal where cyber fraudsters have targeted an elderly advocate by threatening to frame them in a terror funding case. On 3 November, another aged advocate in the Kohfiza area was targeted by fraudsters who threatened him with severe action for purported involvement in funding the Pulwama attack. He was, however, saved in time from losing lakhs of rupees to those posing as anti-terror officers. On 20 November, cyber fraudsters extorted 68 lakh from a retired bank manager through digital arrest in Bhopals Shahpura area. In the same month, a retired official of a public-sector enterprise and his wife were kept under digital arrest for several days by cyber thugs, who reportedly extorted 65 lakh from them.

Major controversy erupts in Madhya Pradesh over IAS officers objectionable remark about Brahmin girls

BHOPAL: An Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Santosh Verma, having a controversial past, has kicked up a fresh row with an objectionable remark about Brahmin girls in Madhya Pradesh. Addressing the provincial meeting of the Anusuchit Jati Evam Janjati Adhikari Evam Karmachari Sangh (AJAKS), the associations newly elected provincial president Santosh Verma reportedly made an objectionable remark about Brahmin girls. Reservations will continue till a Brahmin donates his daughter to my son or allows her to have a relationship with him, Verma reportedly said at the event held in Bhopals Ambedkar Maidan on Sunday. As the video went viral across social media platforms on Monday, Brahmin organizations, while condemning the IAS officers remark as indecent, casteist and extremely insulting to Brahmin daughters, demanded strict action against the bureaucrat. We demand an immediate FIR against the officer for his highly indecent remarks about Brahmin daughters. If no FIR is registered against him, the entire Brahmin samaj will resort to state-wide protest, Pushpendra Mishra, the state president of All India Brahmin Samaj demanded. Mishra added that the remarks by the IAS officer violate the Civil Service (Conduct) Rules, due to which stern action against him becomes even more important. A leader of the MP Mantralaya Sewa Adhikari-Karamchari Sangh, Er Sudhir Nayak, while terming the remark by the IAS officer, as Highly objectionable and insulting for the general category people, demanded action against Verma under the Civil Service (Conduct) Rules. Controversies arent new to Verma, who was originally an MP State Administrative Service officer. He was in news in 2021-22, allegedly forging court orders and faking signatures of a special court judge, for falsely claiming relief in cases against him. He was arrested after the concerned judge filed a complaint against him for forging court orders, which pertained to alleged criminal intimidation of a woman. He had reportedly used the forged documents to secure promotion from the state administrative cadre to Indian Administrative Service (IAS)

Protests in M.P.s Raisen over rape of 6-year-old girl; accused remains absconding

The girl was taken to a government hospital in neighbouring Obaidullaganj but was immediately referred to AIIMS, Bhopal where she is undergoing treatment

Seven girls rescued in MP as police raid two spa centres for alleged sex rackets

BHOPAL: A surprise police raid at two spa centres in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, revealed sex rackets that were pushing young girls from Delhi and from districts in the GwaliorChambal region into prostitution. The raid, led by additional SP (ASP) Vidita Dagar, was carried out on Sunday at two spa centres located in the upmarket City Centre area of Gwalior. The operation resulted in the busting of the rackets. Total seven young girls were found at the two Spa Centres. The girls were found in objectionable situations with men hailing from Gwalior only. Objectionable material too was seized from both the Spa Centres, Dagar told TNIE on Monday. According to the police, the preliminary investigation revealed that some of the girls hailed from Delhi, while others were from Bhind district in Madhya Pradeshs GwaliorChambal region. Four to five men, including those found with the girls in objectionable positions and the operators of the two centres, have been detained for questioning. There have been specific intelligence inputs with us about some Spa Centres in the city, indulging in immoral business, after which the surprise inspection was carried out by the police at the two Spa Centres in Tulsi Vihar Colony on Sunday, Dagar added. Were now working at how the girls from Delhi and Bhind were brought here and pushed into the immoral activities at the two Spa Centres, she informed.

Mahindra Logistics, LOreal India launch all-women operated warehouse in Indore

MUMBAI, Nov 24: Mahindra Groups logistics arm MLL on Monday announced the launch of an all-women operated warehousing facility in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, in collaboration with the Indian subsidiary of French multinational firm LOreal. The facility supports distribution across central India, enabling movement of goods to key markets, including Jabalpur, Bhopal, Indore, Singrauli, Sagar, Ratlam, Bina, Satna, Rewa, Shahdol and Shivpuri, among others, Mahindra Logistics Ltd (MLL) said. MLL said the dedicated women-operated warehousing unit strengthens regional outreach through [] The post Mahindra Logistics, LOreal India launch all-women operated warehouse in Indore appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Suspended government doctor, aides involved in inter-state fake currency notes racket, arrested in Bhopal

BHOPAL:After being on the run for more than three weeks, the suspended government doctor, the alleged mastermind of the recently busted inter-state fake Indian currency notes (FICN) racket, has been arrested in Madhya Pradesh's capital, Bhopal. Acting on specific inputs, cops from the special investigation team (SIT) of Khandwa district police, raided a house in Bhopals Bagmugaliya area and arrested Dr Prateek Navlakhe along with his two aides. While the suspended government doctor, 43-year-old Prateek Navlakhe, hails from southwestern MPs Burhanpur district, the two other men arrested from the rented house on Sunday evening have been identified as 35-year-old Gopal alias Rahul (resident of MPs Harda district) and 43-year-old Dinesh Gore (who hails from Amravati-Maharashtra). Suspended MP doctor emerges as mastermind in inter-state fake currency racket busted in Maharashtra Dinesh Gore is the acting principal of a government school in Maharashtra, while Rahul is a property broker. FICN totalling Rs 25,000, nine cell-phones, a laptop, 32 ATM cards, 15 bank cheque books, a dryer machine and other incriminating material have been seized from the arrested trio, Khandwa district police superintendent Manoj Rai said on Monday. With this recent action, FICNs totalling over Rs 30 lakh have so far been seized by the Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh police teams from the possession of the seven arrested members of the inter-state racket and their whereabouts since October 30. Importantly, the alleged inter-state FICN racket was busted in Malegaon town of Maharashtras Nashik district on October 30 following the arrest of a Muslim cleric, Maulana Zuber and his key aide, Nazir. The Malegaon cops had seized from the duo, Rs 10 lakhs FICN, which they were to route to various parts of the western state. With Zubair being the Imam of a mosque located in Pethia village of southwestern MPs Khandwa district, the Khandwa district police raided the room where he stayed in the Imambara in Pethia village and recovered Rs 19.78 lakh FICN on November 2. An SIT was subsequently formed by the Khandwa district police superintendent into the entire case, and the two men, including Maulana Zubair, arrested in Malegaon town on October 30, were later brought to Khandwa (MP) for questioning. It was their questioning that confirmed the direction of the police investigation, about the suspended government doctor Pradeep Navlakhe being the mastermind of the inter-state racket. Navlakhes arrest from Bhopal is a breakthrough for us in the case, as he has emerged as the real mastermind of the racket. The laptop seized from the rented house in Bhopal contains details and designs of the FICNs, SP-Khandwa district Manoj Rai said. As per sources associated with the ongoing police probe, investigations strongly suggest many more Maharashtra links in the racket, including some major links in the Vidarbha region. Probe till now suggests that Dr Navlakhe was into FICNs for 4-5 months. Before that, he had also tried his hand at FICN, but failed to succeed completely. Importantly, back in 2022, Navlakhe (who was posted at the Burhanpur district hospital) was accused of opening an account in a private bank in the name of the hospital's peon and then parked around Rs 24 lakh. The account was closed after withdrawing the money. In 2022, Dr Navlakhe was suspended after he sold the hospitals equipment worth Rs 25 lakh as scrap. He was also suspected to be involved in hawala business, cricket betting and human trafficking. The suspended doctor met Mohd Zubair while being lodged in Khandwa jail. Zubair was lodged there in multiple cases of robbery and investment fraud. The Khandwa polices SIT suspect that it was at the Khandwa jail that Navlakhe convinced Zubair to become part of his network of FICN supply racket. Dr Navlakhe had tried his luck with FICN printing in the past and is accused of two to three cases of counterfeit Indian currency notes in Jalgaon and Bhusawal in Maharashtra. Barring Dr Navlakhe, the six others arrested in the case so far were possibly working as agents who searched prospective buyers of the fake currency notes and then supplied them to the customers. For every Rs one lakh, the racket got Rs 30,000 in authentic currency notes from the customers, then distributed to operatives. Ongoing investigations suggest that the finest quality wire used in the FICNs was sourced from China, while the paper was sourced from Maharashtras Vidarbha region. On October 30, when Maulana Zubair, along with an aide, was arrested with Rs 10 FICN in Malegaon (Maharashtra), Dr Navlakhe was present in Pune. With the help of his girlfriend, Dr Navlakhe first came to Bhopal via Burhanpur and later went into hiding in Haridwar (Uttarakhand), before returning and hiding in the rented flat with Dinesh Gores help. While investigations till now have revealed that the income generated from the FICN business was parked by Dr Navlakhe in his girlfriends bank account, the seizure of 32 ATM cards and 15 bank cheque books strongly suggests that the rackets mastermind was also parking alleged crime money in mule accounts.

JIH MP unit launches neighbours rights campaign

Bhopal: The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Madhya Pradesh Unit, has launched of a 10-day state-wide campaign on Neighbours Rights with the slogan Ideal Neighbour, Ideal Society. Addressing a joint Press conference Dr. Hamid Beg, president of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Madhya Pradesh Unit, made the announcement about the above campaign. The campaign is being run across the state along Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

India a Hindu nation that follows unity in diversity: Uma Bharti

BHOPAL, Nov 22 : Senior BJP leader Uma Bharti on Saturday said that although India is a Hindu state, it does not follow or work on the basis of a single religion as it believes in unity in diversity. Indias identity as a Hindu nation is what ensures its secularism. Secularism here reflects acceptance of all faiths, rooted in the Hindu tradition of worshipping many gods and many rituals, the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister told reporters here. Long before [] The post India a Hindu nation that follows unity in diversity: Uma Bharti appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Jan Dhan accounts in Madhya Pradesh used to circulate cyber-fraud money; three held

BHOPAL: Once meant to bank the unbanked, zero balance bank accounts in Madhya Pradesh created under the PM Jan Dhan Scheme have now transformed into mule accounts for cyber fraudsters. Three individuals have been arrested so far. As many as seven bank accounts have been misused by fraudsters who have parked funds looted from crimes committed in other states. Five of these bank accounts are Jan Dhan accounts, including one account of a deceased person. How did the fraud surface? Recently, a daily wage labourer Bisram Ivne (40) approached the authorities, stating that transactions of around Rs 2 crore were carried out through his Jan Dhan account since June 2025. He came to know about it when he went to the bank to update his KYC details. We initiated a focussed investigation in the matter by the district polices cyber cell and the subsequent probe revealed transactions of around Rs 1.5 crore in the account since June, Betul district police superintendent Virendra Jain told TNIE on Saturday. Subsequent police probes, particularly based on some similar complaints, led the cops to six more accounts, four of which were Jan Dhan accounts in which transactions spanning between Rs 47.44 lakh and Rs 2.24 crore were detected, which brought the total sum to more than Rs 9.84 crore. Surprisingly, one of the Jan Dhan accounts in which suspicious monetary transactions were detected, was held by one Rajendra Varde, who is no longer alive. Another account with suspicious transactions was a student scholarship account held by 20-year-old college student Narmada Ivne. As the probe progressed it was found that the Rs 9.84 crore plus sum was parked in these accounts, which were being used as mule accounts. The sum actually represented the proceeds of cyber fraud cases done in other states, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi and Haryana, SP Jain said. The money pertained to proceeds of cyber-crime, including cryptocurrency investment fraud, fake customer service centre related fraud and cyber phishing. Accused so far Further investigations took the Betul district polices multiple teams to two hideouts in Indore, from where three men have so far been arrested in the case. The arrested men include Raja alias Ayush Chauhan (28), who hails from Savligarh (Betul), his brother-in-law Ankit Rajput (32) and Narendra Singh Rajput (42). As many as 15 cell-phones, 21 ATM cards, Rs 28,000 cash and 11 bank passbooks of nationalized and private banks have been seized from the arrested men. The seizure has revealed that more than 20 more bank accounts were being used to park and circulate the cyber fraud money in different parts of Madhya Pradesh. Many of those accounts may well be Jan Dhan accounts, the SP-Betul said. Investigations have revealed the involvement of an ad hoc employee of one of the banks, who helped the inter-state gang in first getting access to the accounts, then changing the registered mobile phone number of each of the accounts, get new ATM cards issued and finally get access to internet-mobile banking for each account, particularly to get control of account whose holder had died. But the arrested trio is just one layer of the multi-layered racket, whose real players (backward and forward linkages of the racket) were operating from other states.

Two booth level officers engaged in SIR die in Madhya Pradesh, kin blame work pressure

BHOPAL: Two government teachers working as booth level officers under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls have died in two separate districts of Madhya Pradesh over the last 24 hours. The two have been identified as Ramakant Pandey and Sitaram Gond. While the authorities claimed that the two BLOs died due to health related issues, the bereaved families alleged that it was due to unbearable work pressure and fear of being suspended for not achieving the daily targets. Confirming the death of Ramakant Pandey, a teacher-cum-BLO from Satlapur area, who was assigned voter list revision task in Mandideep area, the sub divisional officer (SDO) and electoral registration officer of Raisens Bhojpur assembly segment Chandrashekhar Srivastava reportedly said that Pandey died on Friday night due to some illness. We are awaiting the autopsy, which will make the cause of death clear. Pandeys widow Rekha and other family members, however, alleged that excessive work pressure, including working late at nights, repeated orders to achieve unrealistic targets and fear of being suspended for dereliction of duty if the targets werent met, caused the death of the middle-aged teacher, who was posted at Tilakhedi primary school. Around 220 km away, in Damoh district, another middle-aged school teacher Sitaram Gond, who was tasked with enumeration duties in Ranjra and Kuda Kudan villages, suddenly fell ill on Thursday while getting the enumeration forms filled. He was first taken to the Damoh district hospital, but later referred by doctors to Jabalpur for advanced treatment in serious condition, where he breathed last during treatment on Friday night, an education department official said. The deceased teachers close relatives and friends claimed that he was under severe work pressure. He had only managed to complete 10-15% of work in the two villages assigned to him. Vadodara BLO assistant dies on duty amid rising SIR workload concerns; four deaths in four days across Gujarat Earlier, on Wednesday, another teacher-cum-BLO identified as Bhuwan Singh Chouhan, had died at his home in Alirajpur district, after slipping from the stairs in his house. He left behind his widow and eight children, only two of whom are married. While recounting his suspension for dereliction of duties on Tuesday, elder daughter Sangita and son Anil alleged that the stress after being suspended caused the death. His brother-in-law, who too is a teacher-cum-BLO, said, Unrealistic verbal targets have been set for us, completing enumeration of 100 voters in a single day. A large part of the population works as migrant labourers in the adjoining Gujarat, so its becoming difficult to track them and get the enumeration work done. Bhuwan Singh was suspended for not attending the training. How can he attend training while he was in the field to achieve the unwritten targets of completing enumeration tasks with 100 voters daily? He was under severe stress due to suspension and subsequent attachment to Ranapur tehsil in adjoining Jhabua district, which could have caused the killer mishap. According to SDM-Jhabua district Bhaskar Gachle, Bhuwan was suspended on the basis of a report by Nayab Tehsildar-Bori about the concerned BLO not doing the enumeration work properly. Prior to this, on November 11, a 50-year-old teacher-cum-BLO Udaybhan Sihare had allegedly died by suicide by hanging from a noose tied to a ventilator in the washroom of a primary school in Pandokhar of Datia district. My brother neither knew how to drive a motorcycle, nor did he know how to properly operate a mobile phone. He was unable to do the SIR related work properly and was under severe stress, owing to the fear of getting suspended. It perhaps provoked him to take the extreme step, the deceased teacher-cum-BLOs brother Dharmendra Sihare said. One more BLO dies by suicide in West Bengal, family alleges SIR-related stress

Difficult To Get Out: Jagdeep Dhankhar Warns Against Falling Into Narrative Chakravyuh

Jagdeep Dhankhar warns against falling into narrative chakravyuh at Manmohan Vaidyas book launch in Bhopal, urges India to rely on civilisational values amid global challenges.

Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Starbucks Announce a Farmer Support Partnership (FSP) to Strengthen the Coffee Value Chain from Bean to Cup

Established under a strategic collaboration between Starbucks Coffee Company & Tata Starbucks, the FSP aims to empower 10,000 Indian coffee farmers by 2030 Starbucks will open its 500th coffeehouse in India this week in Delhi NCR a Starbucks Reserve location offering a premium and immersive coffee experience Reaffirming its long-term commitment to India, and its plans to deepen its coffee leadership in the market, Starbucks Coffee Company today announced the establishment of a Farmer Support Partnership (FSP). In collaboration with Tata Starbucks Private Limited, the FSP will connect local agronomists and farmers to global farming best practices through open-source agronomy. Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Starbucks re-affirm coffee leadership and announce a Farmer Support Partnership (FSP) to strengthen the coffee value chain from Bean to Cup Strengthening Indias coffee value chain from bean to cup Starbucks Coffee Trading Company, SARL (SCTC), Starbucks global procurement and trading subsidiary, will collaborate closely with Tata Starbucks to empower 10,000 farmers by 2030. The FSP based in Karnataka will combine Tata Starbucks deep local knowledge, Indias coffee-growing heritage, and decades of Starbucks global agronomy expertise. It will support farmers from Indias key coffee growing states including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala to strengthen connections with Starbucks global network, drive innovation, and share best practices in farming and sustainability to ensure a sustainable future for India coffee. The FSP will set up technical model farms in partnership with farmers in India, incorporating global learnings, to embed best practices in coffee agronomy and test sustainable solutions. The FSP in India will serve as a hub for testing new varietals, provide knowledge on innovative farming techniques aligned to Indian practices and conditions, and share insights about other agroforestry initiatives to improve coffee quality, productivity and climate resiliency. The goal is to build upon traditional methods to help farmers improve both the quality of their crops and their profitability. The FSP will work closely with existing centers of excellence within the Starbucks global network. This includes partnering with Farmer Support Centers (FSC) in coffee-growing regions around the world, where agronomists collaborate directly with farmers on research, and learning from existing model farms within Starbucks supply chain. This network includes FSCs in the APAC region in North Sumatra, Indonesia and Yunnan, China and Hacienda Alsacia in Costa Rica, Starbucks first company-operated coffee farm and headquarters to the Starbucks Costa Rica Farmer Support Center and Starbucks Global Research and Development team. Through the FSP, Indian farmers will also benefit from Starbucks 2026 global digital training tools, which will offer detailed online modules on agronomy, coffee quality, and C.A.F.E. (Coffee and Farmer Equity) practices to foster ethical sourcing and ultimately enhance productivity and sustainability. It will also educate farmers about Regen-Ag (regenerative agriculture) practices and methods to reduce carbon, water, and waste footprints, and contribute to agroforestry and social development initiatives. The FSP will develop projects across the key Starbucks commitments of unlocking coffee productivity, increasing farm profitability and building climate resiliency over the next 5 years. To build capability and strengthen Indias entire coffee value chain, Tata Starbucks will also donate one million high-yield variety Arabica seedlings to farmers over the next five years. During his visit to India this week, Brian Niccol, chairman and chief executive officer of Starbucks said, India is one of our fastest-growing markets. Were partnering with Tata to shape the future of coffee in India, including supporting farmers, empowering communities, and delivering the highest quality offerings to our customers. Its a long-term commitment to build a stronger, more sustainable coffee ecosystem that benefits everyone, from bean to cup . Sunil D'Souza, Managing Director & CEO at Tata Consumer Products said, Through the past decade, together, Tata Consumer Products and Starbucks, have helped shape Indias thriving coffee culture and industry. With this new initiative, we are pleased to pair Starbucks global agronomy expertise with Tatas footprint in India to drive tangible impact and pave the way for the future of responsible coffee farming in India . Re-affirming Starbucks coffee leadership through differentiated and elevated experiences Since its inception in 2012 as a joint venture between Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Consumer Products, Tata Starbucks has been dedicated to delivering the unique Starbucks Experience to customers in India. This has set the stage for Indias ever evolving and dynamic coffee culture. This week, Tata Starbucks will celebrate the opening of its 500th coffeehouse in India, marking a significant milestone in its growth journey and reaffirming its long-term commitment to the market. As one of Starbucks fastest-growing international markets, India remains central to the companys plans for strategic and sustainable expansion, with continued focus on job creation and meaningful development opportunities for its partners (employees). The 500th coffeehouse will be the second location to offer a Starbucks Reserve coffee experience in Delhi NCR, engaging coffee enthusiasts with an immersive experience that showcases Starbucks coffee craft, heritage, and storytelling. The coffeehouse and its Starbucks Reserve experience underscore Tata Starbucks commitment to elevating Indias coffee craftsmanship through elevated store design, handcrafted beverages, and locally inspired innovations. As part of the global strategy to make Starbucks a welcoming coffeehouse where people gather to enjoy the finest coffee handcrafted by skilled baristas, Tata Starbucks will continue to focus on creating a differentiated and elevated coffee forward experience in India. It invites customers to experience the full flavor profile it offers - serving the worlds finest coffee and elevated offerings in a welcoming coffeehouse environment that has made it a beloved part of Indias coffee landscape. Sushant Dash, chief executive officer of Tata Starbucks said, As the largest specialty coffee player in India, we are proud to bring the Farmer Support Partnership in collaboration with SCTC, a meaningful step toward strengthening Indias coffee-growing community and securing the future of high-quality Arabica. Our commitment to India extends beyond growth, to investing in farmers, partners (employees) and customers to continue building a vibrant coffee culture. We will continue to serve the finest Arabica coffee from India and around the world, brought to life through the warm, welcoming third place experience that defines Starbucks . About Starbucks Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with more than 40,000 stores worldwide, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at about.starbucks.com or starbucks.com . About Tata Starbucks Private Limited Starbucks entered the Indian market in October 2012 through a 50/50 Joint Venture with Tata Consumer Products Limited and currently operates more than 497 stores in India across 81 cities, Agra, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Alibaug, Amritsar, Anand, Aurangabad, Bangalore, Bhatinda, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Calicut, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Faridabad, Gandhinagar, Ghaziabad, Goa, Guntur, Gurgaon, Guwahati, Gwalior Haridwar, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Indore, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Jodhpur, Kanpur, Kochi, Kolhapur, Kolkata, Lonavala, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Mangalore, Meerut, Mumbai, Mussoorie, Mysore, Nagpur, Nashik, New Delhi, Noida, Pathankot, Patiala, Pondicherry, Pune, Raipur, Siliguri, Sonipat, Surat, Thrissur, Trivandrum, Udaipur, Vadodara, Vapi, Varanasi, Vijayawada, Varanasi and Vizag are cities in India. through a network of over 4,437 passionate partners (employees). Starbucks stores are operated by the joint venture, Tata Starbucks Private Limited, and branded as Starbucks Coffee - A TATA Alliance.

In first public address after resignation, Dhankhar praises RSS with a cryptic reference to his past

BHOPAL: In his first public address since his surprise resignation as the countrys vice-president in July 2025, Jagdeep Dhankhar heaped praises on the RSS and made a cryptic reference to his recent past. Addressing a gathering at an RSS event in Bhopal on Friday evening, the former vice president said, I cannot skip my duty for catching the flight and friends. My recent past is proof of it. He made the remark when a man approached him during the event and reminded him about the timing of his return flight to Delhi. Dhankhar was the chief speaker at the launch of senior RSS leader Dr Manmohan Vaidyas book Hum Aur Yeh Vishwa. Praising the RSS, Dhankar said, We live in an age where perception dictates everything, no matter how much you deny it. We are in the era of information warfare; god forbid anyone gets caught in the trap of narrative. Once one gets caught in this chakravyuh (trap), it's very difficult to get out. Im not citing my own example. While criticising RSS bashers and praising the Sangh, Dhankhar claimed, It (RSS) works for humanity and the worlds welfare. This book is an eye-opener and dismantles the long propaganda and continuously propagated myths portraying the RSS as ultra-right and anti-minority. They have even gone to the extent of linking it to the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. The untenability of all this now stands fully exposed, but they are still sticking to it. The book explains the concept of Rashtriya Dharm . The RSS, the most stabilising force in Bharat, works for humanity and global welfare. Dr Pranab Mukherjee, who adorned the office of President and was one of the tallest statesmen of his time, went to Nagpur on July 1, 2018...look at the level of criticism then, the extremity of criticism, crossing all bounds, calling it blasphemous. And Pranab Da, by just one sentence, put that controversy to rest when he visited the birthplace of Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, he said. He (Mukherjee) wrote...I quote one sentence... Today I came here to pay my respect and homage to a great son of Mother India. Undoubtedly, what a powerful word he spoke, Dhankhar added. Earlier in the day, reacting to the absence of BJP leaders at Bhopal Airport to receive Dhankar, former chief minister and Congress MP Digvijaya Singh said, For them (BJP leaders), only those are important who are useful to them. Use and throw is BJPs hallmark. I cant say about the RSS, as he (Dhankhar) has come for the Sanghs programme only. It is unfortunate that no government minister came to receive Jagdeep Dhankhar, who fought a one-sided battle for the BJP-RSS in the Upper House of Parliament, at the Bhopal airport. In a way, this is a blatant violation of VIP protocol. Ideally, the Chief Minister should have received him, especially since Dhankhar had come to attend an RSS event. The point remains: BJP leaders have a singular approach- use and throw, even if the person is an RSS follower, Singh said in a post on X. The question is: the person whom the BJP appointed to the prestigious position of Vice-President cannot be ordinary. If Dhankhar was unworthy of that position, why was he appointed Vice-President? I had requested an appointment to meet the former vice-president to inquire about his well-being, but I have not yet received a response, Singh added.

Delhi police arrest Congress worker over misleading social media post on vote-chori

BHOPAL: A Congress worker Manjeet Ghoshi was arrested by Delhi Police from his village in Madhya Pradesh on Friday morning after he posted an old video of a protest in Rajasthan claiming that it was from a vote-chori protest in Bihar. According to informed sources in the Narsinghpur district police, a Delhi police team and a team from Rajasthan Police had come in connection with a tweet made by Ghoshi. Ghoshi had posted on the X, a video of a torch light procession which was actually taken out in September in Rajasthans Jhalawar district, demanding justice for the victims of a school tragedy. Posting the video three days after the Bihar assembly polls result, Ghoshi had falsely claimed that the visuals pertained to a procession by people, after the BJP came to power through vote chori (vote theft) in Bihar, informed sources said. While the Narsinghpur districts additional SP Sandeep Bhuria, confirmed the arrest by Delhi Police team, he was unable to divulge much about the case. The Congress workers brother Laxmikant said that Manjeet was taken in custody at around 7 am in connection with his recent post on X. My brother is associated with the Congress and he has been taken in custody by the Delhi police team in connection with a recent tweet (post on X), Manjeets elder brother Laxmikant told journalists. Angered over the arrest, the Congress workers led by the Narsinghpur district Congress president and former MLA Sunita Patel demonstrated outside the Narsinghpur district police superintendents office for two hours. Our worker Manjeet Ghoshis arrest in Narsinghpur district, based on a tweet, is against democratic rights. In protest against this dictatorship, the District Congress staged a sit-in protest outside the Superintendent of Police's office, the state Congress said in its official statement.

Madhya Pradesh HC orders temporary stay on demolition of Al-Falah University founder's ancestral home

BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday ordered a temoporary stay on the Mhow administration's order to demolish the ancestral house of the Al-Falah University founder-chairman Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui. The Mhow Cantonment Board had pasted a notice on the three-storeyed house on Wednesday, asking the owners/legal heirs to remove the construction within three days, failing which it would be demolished. The authorities claimed that the house was constructed illegally. The present owner of the house, Abdul Majid, challenged the notice in the court, stating that three days was too little time to reply, and that no demolition action should be initiated till a proper reply is filed. Previous notices were served (by the Board) in 1996 and 1997, which is almost 30 years ago. Almost 30 years later another notice has been issued. If any action was to be taken against the petitioner after a period of almost 30 years, he ought to have been afforded an opportunity of hearing, the single-judge bench of Justice Pranay Verma observed on Friday. It is directed that the petitioner shall file his reply along with all relevant documents before the respondents/competent authority within a period of 15 days from today. Thereafter, the petitioner shall be afforded due opportunity of hearing and thereafter a reasoned and speaking order in the matter shall be passed. Till the said exercise is completed, and for a period of ten days thereafter in case the order is against the petitioner, no coercive action shall be taken against him, the HC stated while disposing of the petition. Importantly, the three-storeyed house in the Mukeri Mohalla locality of Mhow was originally owned by Shahar Qazi Maulavi Hammad Ahmad Siddiqui. After the Muslim clerics death, the entire family of around 16 children from Siddiquis three wives relinquished the house to his son and Al-Falah University head, Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui, who later gifted it to Abdul Majid. Majid, who was known to the family, has been in possession of the house for the last 45 years, his counsel Ajay Bagadiya told TNIE on Friday. Abdul Majid, the current owner, petitioned the MP High Courts Indore Bench challenging the Boards Wednesday order. A Supreme Court order pertaining to demolition of properties by various state governments, including the MP and UP governments, clearly stipulated last year that any demolition action against illegal constructions must only be undertaken by following the appropriate legal process, giving at least 15 days to the property occupant/owner to respond, Bagadiya noted. Our submission before the HC was that in the show-cause notice served to the petitioner, it was not specified what portion of the house was actually encroachment. Also, the show-cause notice was served almost three decades after the previous notices, and the time given for responding to the notice was too little, he said.

NCW to hold national consultation on condition of women prisoners on November 22

NEW DELHI: Women prisoners, constituting 4.3% of the total prison population, face systemic barriers including overcrowded facilities and inadequate health services. Concerned with their condition, the National Commission for Women (NCW) plans to hold a national consultation on laws governing women in Indian jails. The national consultation will be held on Saturday in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to identify urgent reforms needed to strengthen the rights, welfare, and dignity of women inmates across India. At the national consultation Laws Relating to Women in Prison experts, prison administrators, and policymakers will deliberate on critical reforms. The recommendations from the consultation will contribute to NCWs final report to the government of India. The flagship initiative is led by NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar. Women constitute 4.3% of the prison population, yet in many states they continue to face significant systemic barriers, including overcrowded facilities, inadequate medical and mental-health services, lack of gender-sensitive infrastructure, poor hygiene, and heightened safety vulnerabilities, according to a statement by NCW. To ensure inclusivity and representation, NCW conducted eight regional consultations in Noida, Panaji, Aizawl, Patna, Bhopal, Patiala, Hyderabad, and Dehradun. These consultations generated over 300 expert recommendations, of which 205 key proposals will now be taken up at the national consultation. Deliberations will focus on key legislations including the Model Prison Act 2023, Prison Act 1894, Model Prison Manual 2016, Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019, and the Repatriation of Prisoners Act 2003. Core themes include gender-sensitive correctional systems, improved medical and mental-health support, rights of incarcerated mothers and their children, safe accommodation for transgender inmates, and humane treatment of foreign national prisoners. The NCW Chairperson will also lead several important initiatives aimed at strengthening womens safety and empowerment at the grassroots. She will meet Lieutenant Governor, Admiral Shri Devendra Kumar Joshi (Retd.), at Raj Bhavan to discuss ongoing initiatives and the future roadmap for strengthening womens welfare across the union territory. She will also hold a review meeting with the DGP, Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal, and other police officials to assess existing safety mechanisms, enhance policing responses, and strengthen institutional coordination for womens safety. A gender sensitization workshop for police personnel is also in the cards. The idea is to enhance police awareness, sensitivity, and responsiveness in handling cases related to women. Rahatkar will also hold a high-level meeting with the Chief Secretary and senior officers and will review women-centric schemes. Also, a review of facilities and rehabilitation support at the historic Cellular Jail is also on the agenda.

17-Year-Old JEE Aspirant From Bhopal Dies After Falling From Ninth Floor In Kota

The student, identified as Ishan Paliwal, was living with his mother in the Jawahar Nagar area of Kota while attending a coaching institute

1st Indian-born cheetah gives birth to 5 cubs

BHOPAL: The first Indian-born cheetah, Mukhi, has given birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, which was described as a breakthrough for Indias cheetah reintroduction initiated three years ago. The 33-month-old Mukhi, who was the lone surviving among the four cubs born to Namibian cheetah Siyaya in March 2023, was abandoned by the mother after birth and she grew up in the care of vets and other staff at KNP. Union environment minister said on X: This is the first time in recent history that an Indian-born cheetah has reproduced, making it a landmark achievement for Project Cheetah. The mother and cubs are doing well. This is an unprecedented breakthrough for Indias cheetah reintroduction initiative. Both Mukhi and her Namibian mother Siyaya became mothers at nearly the same age in the national park located in Sheopur district. The Thursdays development in the ongoing cheetah re-introduction programme, assumes significance as KNP is now preparing to welcome eight cheetahs from Botswana.

MP faux pas: 3 dead teachers get 3 days to explain zero attendance

BHOPAL: Three government school teachers in Madhya Pradesh were recently sent show-cause notices for missing e-attendance. Theyll never respondbecause the teachers are dead. This unusual set of notices was reported in the Mauganj district, Madhya Pradesh. The families of Devta Deen Kol, who passed away in April 2023; Ramgarib Dipankar, who died on February 13, 2025; and Chotelal Saket, who passed in May 2025, were surprised to receive official reminders demanding that the deceased justify their zero attendance for October 2025. The officer signing the notices appeared to be highly committed to procedural compliance: the notices included a warning that unsatisfactory replies could result in salary deductions. The teachers were allotted three days to respond. This was part of a wider effort by the school education department to tighten monitoring under its newly introduced e-attendance system. More than 1,500 teachers in Rewa and Mauganj districts reportedly received notices for failing to mark their attendance on the mobile app. But the inclusion of teachers who had been dead for monthsand in one case, yearsquickly exposed a deeper problem in the system. For many in the community, the letters became a symbol of how easily technology can misfire when basic upkeep falls through. The district education officer of Rewa, Ram Raj Mishra, admitted the lapse but placed responsibility on school authorities. The letters were issued based on the data of teachers secured from the special portal containing the details of teachers. The lapse occurred because the data on the concerned portal wasnt updated by the principals of the concerned schools through the BEOs. Such cases are very few, and the process has been initiated for updating the records on the concerned portal, he said. Meanwhile, the department continues to issue stern warnings to teachers, who fail to mark their attendance, giving them three days to explain themselves. The incident has made one thing clear: in its rush to enforce accountability, administration forgot to put its own house in order. Dept yet to get its own house in order The department continues to issue stern warnings to teachers who fail to mark their attendance, giving them three days to explain themselves. The incident has made one thing clear: in its rush to enforce accountability, administration forgot to put its own houseand its digital recordsin order

5 Suspects Arrested, Publicly Paraded Day After Bhopal Cafe Vandalism

A day after a group of masked men armed with swords, rods, and sticks barged into a cafe in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal, smashing furniture and glass, police arrested five suspects involved in the attack and later took them out in a public procession.

IRCTC announces `Dazzling Dubai` tour for January 2026, check details

The 4 nights and 5 days package will take more than 150 passengers from cities such as Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Indore, Delhi, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bangalore, an official statement said

Madhya Pradesh issues notices to deceased teachers over e-attendance lapse

BHOPAL: In an outlandish development, the Madhya Pradesh school education department has issued notices even to dead teachers in Mauganj district, seeking an explanation for not marking their daily attendance through the e-attendance system. As part of efforts to ensure proper attendance of teachers through the e-attendance system at schools, the department recently issued notices to reportedly over 1,500 teachers in Rewa and Mauganj districts for not marking their e-attendance. Surprisingly, those who were issued notices included three teachers in Mauganj who had already died, Devta Deen Kol, who died in April 2023; Ramgarib Dipaknkar, who breathed his last on 13 February 2025; and Chotelal Saket, who passed away in May 2025. In the notices issued to the deceased teachers, the department sought their explanation for zero attendance, despite October 2025 having 17 working days. The teachers were given three days to file their replies, with the department cautioning that unsatisfactory responses could also lead to pay cuts. Blaming the principals of the concerned schools in Mauganj district for the lapse, Rewa district education officer Ram Raj Mishra said, The letters were issued based on the data of teachers secured from the special portal containing the details of teachers. The lapse happened as the data on the concerned portal wasnt updated by the concerned schools principals through the block education officers (BEOs). Such cases are very few and the process has been initiated for updating the records on the concerned portal. Importantly, the department has intensified monitoring under the newly implemented e-attendance system by sending stern cautions to teachers who are not regular at schools. Defaulter teachers are being given three days to explain why they were not marking their attendance on the mobile app. While the school education department has moved ahead with sternly implementing e-attendance to ensure accountability and improve the quality of education in schools, administrators appear to have overlooked the need to update teachers records digitally before issuing notices to alleged defaulters.

Project Cheetah logs landmark success as Indian-born female gives birth to five cubs at MPs Kuno National Park

Bhopal: In a major breakthrough for Indias cheetah reintroduction programme, the first Indian-born female cheetah has given birth to five cubs at Madhya Pradeshs Kuno National Park (KNP), marking a historic milestone in the countrys conservation efforts. Sharing the historic development on X on Thursday, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav posted visuals of 33-months-old female cheetah Mukhi and her newborn cubs. In a delightful breakthrough for Indias cheetah reintroduction initiative, Mukhi the first Indian-born female cheetah, aged 33 months has given birth to five cubs. This is the first time in recent history that an Indian-born cheetah has reproduced, making it a landmark achievement for Project Cheetah, Yadav mentioned in the post. Successful reproduction by an India-born cheetah is a strong indicator of the species adaptation, health, and long-term prospects in Indian habitats. The mother and cubs are doing fine. This significant development reinforces optimism about establishing a self-sustaining and genetically diverse cheetah population in India, further advancing the nations conservation goals. Sharing the visuals, the MP Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, wrote on the same micro-blogging site, A historic milestone has been achieved in the Kuno National Park. The mother and cubs are doing well. This is an unprecedented breakthrough for Indias cheetah reintroduction initiative. Importantly, Mukhi is the lone surviving first-Indian born cub of Namibian cheetah Siyaya. She was born in March 2023 to Siyaya, just two days after the death of another Namibian female, Sasha, due to renal failure, was reported from the KNP -- which had become the first home to African cheetahs in India, following the successful introduction of eight Namibian cheetahs on September 17, 2022. Though Mukhi was the lone survivor among the first four Indian born cubs of the Namibian cheetah Siyaya, the female cub at nine months of age had sustained serious limb injury. Her subsequent recovery and growth into an independent, healthy adult cheetah, who learnt to hunt on her own, exemplifies the continuous efforts of the team of veterinary experts at the KNP. Importantly, both Mukhi and Siyaya became mothers at nearly the same age in the national park located in Sheopur district of MPs Gwalior-Chambal region. Thursdays landmark development in Indias ongoing cheetah reintroduction programme, more than seven decades after the species went extinct from the wild due to rampant hunting, gains further significance as Kuno National Park is now preparing to receive eight cheetahs from Botswana by the end of this year or early next year. Currently, Kuno National Park houses eight adult Namibian and South African cheetahs and 21 cubs. The Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in western Madhya Pradesh, which became the second home for African cheetahs in India in April 2025, now holds a South African male coalition and a female, all translocated from Kuno.

Three killed, four injured as speeding car crashes into truck in Madhya Pradesh's Guna district

GUNA: Three persons were killed and four others injured when their speeding car rammed into a truck in the Guna district of Madhya Pradesh on Thursday, a police official said. The incident took place around 3 am near village Bajranggarh on Guna-Aron road, the official said. The victims were coming to Guna from Aron to attend a wedding when their car hit a truck moving ahead of it, the official said. The crash was so severe that three occupants of the car died on the spot, the official said. Police had to use a gas cutter to pull out those trapped inside, the official said. Of the four injured persons, two are in serious condition. They have been referred to Bhopal for treatment, he said. More details about the accident are awaited.

Brave cop killed in Chhattisgarh Maoist encounter

BHOPAL: A young inspector of Madhya Pradeshs elite anti-Naxal Hawk Force died after being hit by multiple bullets during a gun battle with armed Naxal cadres in the Kanghurra jungles of Chhattisgarh on Wednesday morning. Ashish Sharma, a decorated officer who had received two gallantry medals from the central government and formed the core of many critical Hawk Force operations, was struck by bullets fired by Naxal cadres near the tri-junction of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh around 8.30 am. Even after taking heavy fire, Sharma continued to lead his team. Bleeding from multiple wounds, he kept firing at the cadres hiding behind thick forest cover until he collapsed. His injuries were severe, with bullet wounds to his shoulder, abdomen, thigh and hands. He was rushed to the Dongargarh community health centre in Chhattisgarhs Rajnandgaon district, but he died despite doctors efforts to save him. We also had the helicopter ambulance ready to airlift him for life-saving treatment at a specialised centre, but he couldnt survive. Weve lost a brave inspector, who formed the core of our most crucial operations and had been awarded an out-of-turn promotion from sub-inspector to inspector this year only due to his key role in the February 19 encounter in the Raunda forests of Balaghat district, which had resulted in the elimination of four hardcore women naxal cadres, special DG (anti-naxal operations) Pankaj Srivastava told TNIE. At the time of the encounter, multiple joint combing and search operations were underway in the dense forests along the three-state border. The teams were acting on specific inputs about the movement of 1315 armed Naxal cadres in the area. The gun battle broke out early Wednesday, and combing operations are still in progress. Search operations after the incident led the cops to massive blood stains, backpacks and other materials, based on which massive damage (including possibly casualty) to the outlaws cannot be ruled out, Srivastava added. Sharma was a native of Gadarwara in Narsinghpur district and had joined the Madhya Pradesh Police as a sub-inspector nine years ago. He was promoted earlier this year in recognition of his outstanding service. According to reports from Narsinghpur, he was to be married in January 2026. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav condoled the death, saying, He displayed unprecedented valour and courage during the joint operation by the police forces of the three states in the jungles of Chhattisgarhs Rajnandgaon district. His supreme sacrifice in the national campaign to wipe out Naxalism will remain unforgettable. Struck by Naxals bullets, he fought till the end Ashish Sharma, a decorated officer who had received two gallantry medals from the central government and formed the core of many critical Hawk Force operations, was struck by bullets fired by Naxal cadres near the tri-junction of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh around 8.30 am. Even after taking heavy fire, Sharma continued to lead his team. Bleeding from multiple wounds, he kept firing at the cadres hiding behind thick forest cover until he collapsed.

Masked men, armed with swords and sticks, vandalise Bhopal cafe; four detained

According to the police, the incident took place around 7.10 p.m. on November 18 when several men entered the Magic Spot Cafe in the capital citys Misrod area and began damaging the open cafes infrastructure

Caught On Camera: Masked Group Armed With Swords And Bats Storms Bhopal Cafe

The sudden violence triggered panic, with customers escaping through side exits or ducking behind tables to avoid being hit.

Hawk Force inspector killed in encounter with Naxals in Chhattisgarh forests

BHOPAL: Inspector Ashish Sharma of the Madhya Pradesh Polices elite anti-Naxal unit, the Hawk Force, was killed in action during an early-morning encounter with armed Naxal cadres in the dense forests near the MPChhattisgarhMaharashtra tri-junction on Wednesday. Sharma, around 40 and a decorated officer with two gallantry medals, sustained fatal bullet injuries in the thigh and abdomen while leading the Hawk Force team in a coordinated operation with Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra police. The gunfight broke out around 8.30 am after the combined forces, acting on specific intelligence, moved into a heavily forested area in Chhattisgarh territory where a large Naxal group had been sighted. A senior MP police officer told TNIE that Sharma was rushed to the Community Health Centre in Dongargarh, Rajnandgaon district. Despite all efforts by doctors, he succumbed to excessive bleeding, the officer said. An air ambulance had been arranged to shift him to a specialised facility, but he died before evacuation. Sharma, posted in Balaghat district, was known for his valour and operational leadership. He had received an out-of-turn promotion earlier this year after spearheading a successful anti-Naxal operation that led to the elimination of three hardcore women Naxal cadres in the Raunda forests of Balaghat in February 2025.

National-level shooter molested in Pune-bound bus, conductor on run

BHOPAL: High drama unfolded on board a private bus in Madhya Pradeshs commercial capital Indore on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, after a national-level woman shooter accused the conductor of touching her inappropriately. According to Indore police sources, the shooter, who hails from Pune, was in Bhopal recently for a national level shooting competition. She boarded the private bus from the MP capital on Monday to return to Pune via Indore. The shooter, aged around 30 years, alleged that the conductor touched her inappropriately under the pretext of enquiring about her ticket. When the bus was stopped by the routine night police patrolling party in Indores Rajendra Nagar, the shooter created a ruckus, accusing the conductor of misconduct. Fearing police action, the bus driver and the conductor fled from the vehicle leaving all the passengers stranded on the road. The bus had reached Indore at around 1.30 am and after the issue cropped up, the Rajendra Nagar police found an alternative driver and conductor, who finally drove the bus for the onward journey. When the police asked for a written complaint, she said she would consult family and get back, Additional DCP-Indore Crime Branch Rajesh Dandotiya told this newspaper. The shooter, however, was yet to report the matter to police, till the filing of this news report on Tuesday evening. The bus left for its further journey after around an hour and halfs delay at around 3.15 am. The incident took place 25 days after two players of the Australia women cricket team present in the city for ICC Women ODI World Cup matches, were allegedly stalked and molested in broad daylight by a notorious man Aqeel, while they were walking to a popular cafe from the Radisson Blu hotel. The duo was previously involved in many other criminal cases. They were arrested a day later by the Indore Police.

Nine luxury properties in Dubai attached by ED in Rs 1266.63 crore Madhya Pradesh bank fraud case

Bhopal: As many as nine luxurious foreign immovable properties in Dubai have been attached provisionally by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a Rs 1266.63 crore fraud case committed by Madhya Pradesh branch of the State Bank of India (SBI). The attached properties are in the form of apartment and commercial spaces, having a worth of Rs 51.70 crore. The concerned luxurious foreign assets are located in Centurion Residence Dubai Investment Park Second, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Liwa Heights (Al Thanyah Fifth), Business Bay, and World Trade Centre Residences. During the course of investigation, the properties were found to be acquired out of Proceeds of Crime (POC) generated in connection with the bank fraud case. The wrongful loss to the tune of Rs 1266.63 crore was caused to the SBI by M/s Advantage Overseas Private Limited (AOPL), its directors, guarantors and related persons including its main director/significant beneficial owner, Shrikant Bhasi. ED probe revealed that Shrikant Bhasi, who exercised strategic control over AOPL and its associated entities, had acquired the said foreign properties in Dubai. These properties were later deliberately gifted to his daughter through gift deeds executed in 20222023, without any consideration to hide the POC. The properties were acquired from funds generated by AOPL and its group entities through illegal merchanting trade transactions, diversion of bank funds, fabrication of documents, circular trading, and layering of illicit proceeds. The investigation further revealed that 12 Foreign Letters of Credit (FLCs) amounting to USD 200 million (approx. Rs.1266.63 Crore) were devolved upon SBI between AprilMay 2018 after AOPL failed to fulfil the mandatory margin requirements and could not infuse funds at the time of LC rollover. Due to depletion of Fixed Deposit margins and the companys failure to honour its obligations, the Bank was compelled to make payments to overseas suppliers, resulting in substantial loss to the public sector bank. These devolved LCs constitute a major component of the POC, which were subsequently layered and laundered through related entities and used for acquiring foreign assets. ED investigation has also uncovered a network of domestic and foreign entities used for layering, diversion of funds, and acquisition of assets in India and abroad. Further investigations are underway.

Madhya Pradesh govt scraps two Ujjain Simhastha related projects following public agitation

BHOPAL: Two Ujjain Simhastha-2028 (Kumbh Mela) related projects have been scrapped due to massive protests by farmers and local residents in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain and Omkareshwar. Buckling under sustained pressure by farmers led by RSS-affiliated outfit Bhartiya Kisan Sangh (BKS), the government decided on Monday evening to repeal the land pooling scheme for building a permanent spiritual city in Ujjain. The project required permanent acquisition of 2,378 hectares of farmers' land falling in the Simhastha area, for building a full-fledged spiritual city to house the 13 Akharas, contrary to the existing practice of temporarily acquiring the land of farmers for five to six months in the Simastha area once every 12 years. Ujjain is also the home city of the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav. Less than 24 hours later, the Khandwa district administration scrapped the Rs 120-crore Mamaleshwar Lok Project, following two-days massive shutdown by residents of Omkareshwar town in Khandwa district on Tuesday. The project reportedly proposed building a temple circuit linking the famous Omkareshwar and Mamaleshwar Shiva Temples. Both the ambitious projects were related to the Ujjain Simhastha 2028. The Simhastha in Ujjain is the Kumbh Mela which is organised once every 12 years. Ujjain and Omkareshwar, house two of the 12 jyotirlingas of the country, including the Mahakal Temple in Ujjain and Omkareshwar Temple in Omkareshwar-Khandwa. The decision to scrap the Ujjain Simhastha land pooling scheme on Monday evening was taken at a meeting chaired by CM Dr Mohan Yadav and attended among others, by the state BJP chief Hemant Khandelwal and RSS-affiliate BKSs state president Kamal Singh Anjana and the outfits Malwa Prant general secretary Bharat Singh Bains. The decision was taken just a few hours before farmers from 18 districts of western and south-western MP under the BKS banner, were to launch a massive Ghera Dalo-Dera Dalo indefinite protest in Ujjain. With Omkareshwar town remaining shut on Monday and Tuesday, the Omkareshwar Temple-bound devotees had to face major difficulties, particularly due to non-operation of shops, taxis and other vehicular conveyance, besides provision of accommodation. Basic facilities, like water, tea and snacks werent available adequately and the devotees had to depend largely on the Omkareshwar Temples prasad. Owing to the shutdown, the devotees had to travel seven kms away in Kothi and adjoining villages for finding accommodation, that too at high prices. Not just the angry residents, but even the local Hindu seers had opposed the project in its present form. Mahant Mangaldas of Jod Ganpati Temple reportedly warned that saints from outside Omkareshwar would join the protest if ashrams were demolished to make way for the project.

Four including two Madhya Pradesh cops arrested in hawala case

BHOPAL: Four including a deputy police superintendent and a constable have been arrested in connection with the infamous Rs 2.96 crore alleged hawala money loot case by cops in Seoni district. With this, the total number of arrests in the case has risen to 15, including 13 Madhya Pradesh police personnel. Taking the ongoing probe into the high-profile case ahead, the special investigation team (SIT) made four arrests on Tuesday, including Pankaj Mishra who is a deputy SP posted in Hawk Force-Balaghat, Jabalpur crime branch constable Pramod Soni and two private persons, Panju Giri Goswami (Katni district) and Virendra Dixit (Jabalpur district). The arrested men were produced before a local court in Seoni later, after which the court sent them into two days police remand. While confirming the development, the inspector general of police (IG-Jabalpur Zone) Pramod Verma said, the four fresh arrests have been made in the case, based on sustained probe by the SIT. If need arises, well seek extension of remand of the arrested men. Among the four arrested on Monday, Virendra Dixit is the close relative of sub divisional officer of police (SDOP) Pooja Pandey, who was among the 11 cops arrested and suspended in the case last month, while Goswami is a Katni-based businessman. Panju Puri Goswami is a small-time businessman from Katni, who is suspected to have been involved in hawala business. The ongoing probe suggests an organised collusion between all the cops posted in Seoni, Balaghat and Jabalpur along with the private players. It was the anti-naxal Hawk Force deputy SP Pankaj Mishra only, who informed his batchmate SDOP Pooja Pandey about the car carrying the hawala money on October 8-9 night, after which the vehicle was intercepted. The collusion between the two batchmate cops doesnt end at mere information about the car carrying the hawala money, but is much more than that, a police officer forming part of the SIT probe told TNIE on Tuesday. On the intervening night of October 8-9, a team of Seoni district police had intercepted a car, carrying Rs 2.96 crore alleged hawala money belonging to a trader, from Katni to Maharashtra. The police team led by SDOP-Bandol circle Pooja Pandey and Bandol police station in-charge Arpit Bhairam, detained the occupant of the car, Nagpur resident Sohan Parmar. But instead of following the due procedure of seizure, the vehicle was released on October 9 morning, without the requisite action. Out of the unduly seized Rs 2.96 crore, the police team pocketed over Rs 1.5 crore .

Two women naxals surrender in five days in MP, Chhattisgarh

BHOPAL: The surrender of two wanted female naxal cadres in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh within five days earlier this month may prove crucial to the ongoing operations aimed at eliminating left-wing extremism (LWE) from Madhya Pradesh by March 2026. On 1 November, a 22-year-old naxal cadre identified as Sunita, who carried a bounty of Rs 14 lakh on her head and was armed with an INSAS rifle, surrendered before the police in Balaghat district of MP. Five days later, on 6 November, another wanted female naxal, identified as Kamla Sodi alias Taruna, who carried a bounty of Rs 17 lakh on her head, surrendered before the police in Chhattisgarhs Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai district. Both women, who hail from Chhattisgarh, had been active in the dense forests of Madhya Pradesh, particularly in the tri-junction of Balaghat (MP), Gondia (Maharashtra) and Rajnandgaon (Chhattisgarh), which forms the core of the CPI (Maoist) Maharashtra-MP-Chhattisgarh (MMC) zone. According to sources, the two surrendered cadres possess vital information about 40-50 armed naxals, around half of them women, currently operating across three to four dalams (armed groups) of the CPI (Maoist) in MPs Balaghat and Mandla districts. Credible sources connected to MP Polices anti-naxal operations said information given by Sunita has put a stamp of approval on intelligence regarding the presence of a highly dangerous group of 11-12 armed cadres led by central committee member (CCM) Ramder in MP and neighbouring jungles since early 2015. Aged around 58 years, Ramder was actually assigned the responsibility of heading the MMC zone by 2024-end and has been active since early 2025 in the region. It has now been revealed that the same group had killed the 25-year-old youth Devendra Yadav, on the suspicion of being a police informer in Balaghat district in September, sources claimed. Following Sunitas surrender, the group headed by Ramder had at least four female cadres left. Sunita was one of the two bodyguards of the groups head. A few months back, we had got evidence about the presence of Ramder in the jungles of Balaghat, but it has been fully confirmed after Sunitas surrender. Her questioning has revealed that the group led by Ramderwhose other bodyguard has been identified as Sagar, is equipped with INSAS and AK-47 assault rifles, besides an Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL). The Madhya Pradesh Police are now preparing to question the other surrendered cadre, Taruna, in Chhattisgarh. Sources in the police forces of both states said they are in constant touch with each other regarding Tarunas questioning in connection with the three to four armed naxal groups active in the jungles of Balaghat and Mandla. Taruna was part of that group which had lost three female cadres and one male cadre in the gun-battle with police in June this year in the Pachama Dadar forests of Balaghat district. All those four naxals carried bounties of Rs 14 lakh each. Taruna had managed to escape from that gun-battle and her questioning will be crucial for gathering credible and latest inputs about the movement of the outlaws forming part of Darrekhasa Area Committee, Malajkhand Area Committee and Tanda Area Committee, which have long been active in Balaghat and Mandla districts, sources claimed. Importantly, the June 2025 encounter not only resulted in the elimination of the four wanted cadres but also led to the recovery of a truck full of arms and ammunition. It further helped MPs anti-naxal security apparatus penetrate the groups stronghold in Pachama Dadar, considered unbreachable for nearly three-and-a-half decades. Sunitas questioning has also brought to light possible unrest among women cadres within the three to four dalams operating in the region, stemming from growing sexual exploitation by senior members. They are being forced to work as coolies and cooks and very often subjected to sexual exploitation. Earlier, they had no option but to remain in the group, as they feared being killed by the group in case of breaking away. But the series of encounters of big naxal commanders in Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and MP, are believed to have encouraged them to surrender and join the mainstream. Even Sunita, whose naxal cadre father made her join the outlaws in Chhattisgarh in 2022, has been subjected to sexual exploitation and also insulted by group leader Ramder, while alleging her of being in sexual relationship with a fellow male cadre, sources said.

Madhya Pradesh HC grants relief to TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee in defamation case

BHOPAL: TMC MP and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjees nephew Abhishek Banerjee has been granted relief by the Madhya Pradesh High Court in a defamation case filed against him in 2021 by former Madhya Pradesh BJP MLA Akash Vijayvargiya. A single-judge bench of the MP High Court in Jabalpur has stayed the arrest warrant issued against Banerjee by the Bhopal MP/MLA cases Court for non-appearance in during the trial of the defamation case. While staying the arrest warrant on Monday, Justice Pramod Kumar Agarwal of HCs principal bench in Jabalpur, also issued notices to all parties in the case, including the complainant in the defamation case, former Indore-III MLA Akash Vijayvargiya. Akash Vijayvargiya is the son of Kailash Vijayvargiya, the former BJP national general secretary and senior most cabinet minister in Dr Mohan Yadav-led MP government. The matter will next be heard by the MP High Court on December 8. Back in November 2020, while addressing a public meeting in Kolkata, Banerjee, the TMC MP from Diamond Harbour seat, had allegedly referred to then MP BJP MLA Akash Vijayvargiya, as a goon. Taking objection, Akash had lodged a defamation complaint in April 2021. The MP/MLA Court in Bhopal began hearing the case from May 1, 2021. But owing to Banerjees continued non-appearance before the court in the case, the Bhopal special court had issued the arrest warrant against him for the August 11 and August 26 hearings in the case. The TMC MP subsequently moved the MP High Court against the arrest warrants issued against him by the special Bhopal courts judge, Judicial Magistrate Tathagat Yagnik. While hearing Banerjees petition, the HC reserved the order on November 12 and granted him relief on Monday, by staying the execution of the arrest warrant issued by the Bhopal court. The HC also issued notice to the respondents, including the complainant in the defamation case Akash Vijayvargiya and posted the matter for next hearing on December 8. In the High Court, Banerjees counsel argued that the statement made by the TMC MP at the public rally in Kolkata in November 2020, was misinterpreted and sensationalised for filing the defamation case. While seeking stay on the arrest warrant, the petitioners counsel argued that he was a sitting MP and there was no possibility of him absconding. He had filed an application with the MP-MLA Court seeking exemption from personal appearance, but the Bhopal court did not consider the application and issued an arrest warrant.

Youth murdered following verbal spat over Bihar poll results in Madhya Pradesh

BHOPAL: A youth from Bihar, working as a labourer in Madhya Pradeshs Guna district, was allegedly murdered by two men following a verbal spat over the assembly polls results of their home state. Acting in the matter, the Guna district police arrested both the accused, identified as the youth's uncle Toofani (35), and coworker Rajesh (29) within an hour. All the three men, including the deceased and two accused, hail from Sheohar district of Bihar. The duo allegedly murdered 22-year-old Shankar Manjhi near under-construction buildings on Sunday late night. Primary investigations based on the questioning of the arrested duo have revealed that all three men, Shankar, Toofani and Rajesh worked together at the construction site of governments under-construction quarters in Gunas Cantt police station area. They lived there with other labourers and had a late night party on Sunday. All three of them consumed liquor and later indulged in verbal spat over the recent assembly polls results of Bihar. While Toofani and Rajesh were JD(U) supporters, Shankar was an RJD backer. The verbal altercation reportedly turned violent after Toofani and Rajesh made some unsavoury comment about Bihars former deputy CM Tejaswi Yadav. Shankar was assaulted by Rajesh and Toofani. The duo put his face in mud, which resulted in the youngster getting choked to death. We got the information about an unidentified body lying near the under construction residential quarters. The police team rushed to the spot and recovered the body. Subsequent investigations led us to the accused duo within an hour only, Guna district police superintendent Ankit Soni. Ongoing probe based on the quizzing of the arrested duo has revealed that it was a verbal spat between them over the recent assembly poll results in Bihar, which turned violent, resulting in the murder, Soni added.

Madhya Pradesh police arrests Al-Falah University founder's brother in 25-year-old investment fraud case

BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh police on Sunday arrested Hamud Ahmad Siddiqui, brother of Al-Falah University founder-chairman Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui, in connection with three cases lodged over two decades ago. Hamud was arrested by the Mhow Police from Hyderabad on Sunday and later taken to Indore. According to police, 50-year-old Hamud has been accused in four cases: one dating back to 1988, which pertained to rioting and attempted murder, and three cases on alleged investment fraud registered in 2000. The police said the arrest was part of a special drive to nab wanted criminals who have been on the run for years. ...In 1996, he (Humud) operated an investment firm with the help of his wife and another person. The firm secured investments from individuals with the promise of 20% returns. He ran the firm for two years but then fled from Mhow without returning the investors money, said Indore Rural district police superintendent Yangchen Dolkar Bhutia. In 2000, three cases under Section 420 IPC were registered at Mhow police station against Hamud on complaints by investors who allegedly lost investments to the tune of Rs 40 lakh-plus, she added. The Al-Falah Fincom Investment Private Limited, which was operated by Hamud as its managing director along with his wife and another person in the late 1990s, is accused of duping investors to the tune of Rs 40 lakh plus. Im sure the sum may be much higher, which will be revealed as the investigation progresses, she claimed. According to police, in 2019, a bounty of Rs 10,000 was placed on his arrest. In 2019, a reward of Rs 10,000 was declared on his arrest, but he remained untraced. Were currently running a special drive to nab all those wanted criminals who have been on the run for years. Hamuds arrest from Hyderabad is part of that drive, Bhutia said. She, however, added that Hamuds brother, Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui, wasnt named in any of the cases registered in Mhow in 1988 and 2000. Jawad Ahmad was summoned by the Delhi Police earlier today in connection with the ongoing investigation into the Faridabad terror module case and the two cases registered against Al-Falah University for alleged forgery and cheating. According to Parvez Ahmad, an advocate based in Mhow town of Indore district, it was Jawad Ahmad who had originally started an investment firm in Mhow in the early 1990s under the name Al-Falah Investment, which operated from the family's ancestral home in Kayastha Mohalla. While Jawad left Mhow and shifted to Delhi, his brother Hamud opened a new investment firm, Al-Fahad, which allegedly indulged in multiple cases of investment fraud. Abdul Khalid, who was an employee at Al-Fahad, was later arrested in the investment fraud case after he started his own firm. But Hamud remained at large for more than two decades, police said. Delhi police summons Al Falah University chairman in terror module, forgery probes

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh likens Bihar poll results to Russia, China and North Korean elections

BHOPAL: Alleging that the Bihar election assembly election results were unfair and unacceptable, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijaya Singh drew parallels between the recent polls and elections in Russia, China and North Korea, while Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's husband Robert Vadra called for a re-election. The results of Bihar are akin to the elections of North Korea, Russia and China, as the votes have gone to a single party largely, Singh said while talking to journalists in his home district Guna on Sunday. Names of 62 lakh voters were deleted from the list and 20 lakh new names were added. But the details of whose names were added and whose were deleted has never been shared with us, Singh said. The septuagenarian politicians fraud allegations on Sunday comes just two days after he had made somewhat similar statements. Even I was there in Bihar (during the poll campaigning). We could very well sense a neck-to-neck contest between the two blocs. The only point of discussions at that time in Bihar was about AIMIM and Prashant Kishores Jan Suraj Party (JSP) performance, whose votes will either of them cut more. Im of the firm view that if the NDA wins the polls with more than 140 seats, then it will be due to manipulated EVMs and manipulated voter lists, Singh had said on Friday. Around 290 km away in Indore, the Congress national general secretary and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadras husband Robert Vadra termed the election results unfair and unacceptable. People of Bihar arent happy with the results, whatever happened there occurred with Election Commissions help. No one can accept this result. Elections should be held again in Bihar and Rahul Ji (Rahul Gandhi) will meet the youth and fight for democracy. Politicians from both, the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress in Madhya Pradesh, had played a key role in their respective parties campaign in Bihar during the last one month. Among them the MP CM Dr Mohan Yadav, had campaigned in 25 assembly constituencies in ten districts, out of which the NDA candidates won in at least 20 seats, which meant a strike rate of 80%. Former MP BJP president and second-time MP from Khajuraho seat, VD Sharma was assigned the task of coordinating on 19 seats, out of which the BJP candidates on 17, meaning a strike rate of 89.50%. It was particularly significant, as he had been assigned the seats in the politically crucial Patna and Begusarai regions, with Begusarai particularly being known for getting polarized on caste lines.

Butterfly that mimics dry leaf may become Madhya Pradeshs next 'state butterfly'

pBHOPAL: A tropical Asian butterfly, famed for its extraordinary ability to camouflage itself as a dry or dead leaf, may soon be declared tiger-cheetah state Madhya Pradeshs state butterfly. The countrys tiger-cheetah-leopard-wolf and gharial state Madhya Pradesh may soon notify the Orange Oakleaf variety as its state butterfly. If the state forest departments proposal to declare Kallima inachus as the states butterfly materialises, the Orange Oakleaf will become the central Indian states official state butterfly. Confirming that a proposal has been sent recently to the state government, MPs Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF-Wildlife), Subhranjan Sen, said once the proposal is cleared, MP will join the select league of states which already have their state butterflies. The Orange Oakleaf butterfly is particularly found in the dense forests of the Satpura Mountain Range. Its declaration as the states butterfly will render momentum to focussed efforts on butterfly conservation, Sen told TNIE on Sunday. At least ten states and Union Territories in the country have granted state butterfly status to unique genres of butterflies. These states include Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura and Uttarakhand, which notified their state butterflies between 2016 and 2023. Once MP notifies the Orange Oakleaf as its state butterfly, it will become perhaps the first state in central India to do so. The Orange Oakleaf butterfly flies in the Himalayas at low elevations, from Jammu and Kashmir to Garhwal and Kumaon, and across West Bengal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and other northeastern states. It is also found in central and peninsular India, including Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. It flies along the central Indian highlands to Pachmarhi and Amarkantak in the Satpura Mountain Range in Madhya Pradesh. Its wings are shaped like a leaf when in a closed position. When the wings are closed, only the cryptic underside markings are visible. The resemblance to a dried leafa masqueradeis extremely realistic and gives the genus its common names, the oakleaf or dead leaf. Butterflies occupy a key position in ecosystem stability by acting as pollinators, helping plants reproduce and being a critical part of the food web or chain also, rendering a food source for predators like birds and bats. They are also vital environmental indicators, as their sensitivity to changes in their habitat signals the overall health of an ecosystem, the PCCF-Wildlife said. Notification of a state butterfly by the forest- and wildlife-rich state will also promote focussed research on various butterflies in MP, which is already considered home to 150 to 175 butterfly varieties.

Bhopal Diary: Even in death, woman saves lives of three

Political rehabilitation of 2 turncoat politicians Former forest minister Ramnivas Rawat may soon head one of the independent state boards. BJP sources say the first list of the long-awaited appointments of heads to independent corporations-boards is likely after Bihar poll results. Six times former Congress MLA, Rawat, had joined the BJP during 2024 Lok Sabha polls and was later made the forest minister. He, however, suffered a shock defeat as BJP candidate in the November 2024 Assembly bypoll from Vijaypur (Sheopur) and resigned as minister. Since then, he has been in oblivion. Another ex-minister, Imarti Devi, who lost two successive polls as BJP candidate is likely to head a board or corporation. Even in death, woman saves lives of three A 38-year-old brain dead female advocate Abhijita Rathore saved the lives of 3 critically ill patients in Indore recently. The High Court lawyer was declared brain dead by doctors last month at a private hospital following severe lung infection leading to brain damage. Overcoming the grief, her family decided to donate her liver, the kidneys, cornea and skin. The two kidneys saved lives of two male patients aged 27 and 50, while the liver was successfully transplanted into a 25-year-old woman. The skin preserved now in the skin bank holds the promise of reactivating lives of burn patients in future. Films, politics dominate Ujjains donkey fair Film and politics seemed to have their influence at the recent donkey fair in Ujjain. At the famous annual fair where around 500 donkeys were on sale, names written on their back to identify them included Tejashwi, Owaisi, Pushpa, Aishwarya, Salman, Shahrukh and Jacqueline to attract the buyers attention, those associated with the organisers said. While the donkeys were on sale for prices ranging between Rs 4,000 and Rs 15,000, small horses were priced at Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000. The small horses and donkeys were brought to the fair for sale from various parts of MP and neighbouring Rajasthan and Maharashtra. anuraag singh Our correspondent in Madhya Pradesh singhanuraag.jaurno@gmail.com

10th-Pass Watches Videos, Reads And Becomes 'Counterfeiting Expert'. Arrested

In an operation straight out of a crime thriller, police in Bhopal have busted what appears to be a full-fledged fake-currency factory being operated from a house by a 21-year-old man who trained himself by watching YouTube videos.

Digital tribal museum in Chhattisgarh sparks pride, connection among youth

RAIPUR: The countrys first digital tribal museum has begun evoking a deep sense of pride and historical connection among tribal youths, women, academicians and tourists. Indias first digital tribal museum, set up in New Raipur, the new capital city of Chhattisgarh, is generating excitement across communities. The recently inaugurated Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Memorial & Digital Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum, opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has quickly become a major attraction. The museum features life-sized sculptures and vivid representations of tribal freedom fighters and their resistance against the British Empire. It serves as an inspiring source for tribal youth and local communities who may be unaware of their rich history. Divided into 17 immersive sections, the museum employs sound, light and digital projections to transport visitors into the world of Chhattisgarhs indigenous communities. Each display, whether showcasing village life, crafts or heroic resistance, offers a visual feast filled with colour and movement that captivates both casual tourists and serious researchers. For local villagers, these exhibits evoke a deep sense of pride and connection. Our ancestors stories of resistance against British colonialism inspire us, said Mahendra Netam, a tribal youth from the Sarguja region who now works as a bike taxi driver in Raipur. He stood in front of an exhibit depicting the 1857 tribal uprisings that swept through central India, where Adivasi leaders like Gend Singh and Veer Narayan Singh bravely fought against British oppression. In addition to documenting tribal resistance history, another section of the museum highlights the daily lives of tribal people, including their cultural practices, food, household chores and last rites. In one corner, a group of women gathered around a display showcasing the transformation of tribal households, from using fuelwood and clay stoves to adopting LPG cooking. The women observed the plaque with intrigued expressions, reflecting on their own changing lifestyles. These types of cooking vessels are still used in our village, said Sinita Goud, a young mother holding her infant, her eyes lighting up with recognition as she pointed to the gleaming bronze vessels. For many, the museum represents more than just an archive; it serves as a bridge between the past and the present. It celebrates resilience, adaptation and identity. By digitally documenting tribal history, everyday life and resistance movements, the museum ensures that the stories of Chhattisgarhs indigenous people are not only preserved but also retold in their own vibrant, proud and enduring voice. The museum was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 1 November. So far, over one lakh visitors have visited it since then. India is home to several museums dedicated to tribal history and culture. A prominent example is the State Tribal Museum in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, which focuses on tribal life in both Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Other significant sites include the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Museum in Ranchi (Jharkhand), dedicated to tribal freedom fighters; the Tribal Museum in Silvassa (Dadra & Nagar Haveli), showcasing local life; and the Tribal Research & Training Institute Museum in Pune, which preserves Maharashtras tribal heritage.

Delhi blast: Faridabad module probe extends to Mhow, police trace past of Al-Falah University founder

BHOPAL: The ongoing investigation into the November 10 Delhi blastFaridabad terror module case has now extended to the Mhow town in Madhya Pradeshs Indore district. Investigators from Delhi are reportedly in constant touch with the local police to gather information about the past of Al-Falah Universitys founder and chairman, Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui, who originally hails from Mhows Kayastha Mohalla. A senior officer of the Madhya Pradesh Police confirmed to TNIE on Thursday that Delhi investigators are coordinating with the Mhow police to collect background details about Siddiqui and his family. The multi-storeyed ancestral house in Kayastha Mohalla, which still stands tall, once belonged to Mhows former Shahar Qazi, Mohd Hamid Siddiqui, Jawads late father. Jawad is the eldest of two sons from the clerics first wife. According to local police sources, Jawads younger brother was allegedly involved in multiple cases of investment fraud registered in Mhow around the year 2000. Jaish terror module was planning blasts in six cities on Babri demolition anniversary, reveals probe Jawads brother had floated an investment firm that attracted large sums from local residents, both Hindus and Muslims, by promising abnormally high returns. After several fraud cases were registered and small investors began confronting the family to recover their money, the family left Mhow in 2001, a senior local police source told TNIE on Thursday. While Jawads brother faced charges related to investment fraud, one of his stepbrothers was accused in a murder case that occurred during a Muslim religious procession around 20082009. The stepbrother was arrested and jailed but was later acquitted, reportedly after a compromise was reached with the complainants. Residents of Mhows Kayastha Mohalla recall Jawad as a well-read and meritorious student in the 1990s. He completed his B.Tech from the Shri Govindram Seksaria Institute of Technology and Science (SGSITS) in Indore. He (Jawad) was a brilliant student who also ran coaching classes in Mhow during his youth. I still remember him participating in, and winning, a quiz show on Doordarshan while he was in college, said a local resident who requested anonymity.

Bhopal Model Death: Boyfriend Charged Under 'Love Jihad' Law

Following the death of 27-year-old model and social media influencer Khushboo Ahirwar, popularly known as 'Diamond Girl', police have registered an FIR against her live-in partner, Qasim Hussain, based on statements by her family.

MPs Ladli Behna scheme: monthly assistance hiked to Rs 1,500

BHOPAL: The Mukhya Mantri Ladli Behna Scheme, the initiative credited as the game-changer for the BJP in the 2023 Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls, saw a major boost on Wednesday as the monthly financial assistance for economically weaker women was increased from Rs 1,250 to Rs 1,500. At a state-level event held in Seoni district, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav transferred Rs 1,857 crore through a single click into the bank accounts of over 1.26 crore women beneficiaries across the state, representing the enhanced monthly instalment of Rs 1,500. Wednesdays transfer marked the 30th instalment since the schemes launch in June 2023 by then Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and the 23rd instalment under the current CM, Dr Yadav. This scheme has not only changed the lives of our sisters but also changed my own perspective. Listening to their stories shows the real impact of good policy and intent. Some sisters have started small businesses, others are funding their childrens education, while some are learning new skills. This scheme has transformed not just lives but the future of Madhya Pradesh, Dr Yadav said at the event. Marking the completion of two years of his government next month, the Chief Minister also announced plans to provide employment opportunities offering up to Rs 5,000 per month to Ladli Behna members in various industries. Originally launched by Shivraj Singh Chouhan from Jabalpur in June 2023, the scheme initially offered Rs 1,000 per month, which was increased to Rs 1,250 in September 2023, just ahead of the Assembly elections. However, beneficiaries had to wait 26 months for the next increase to Rs 1,500, announced this week. In line with the BJPs 2023 election promise, the financial assistance under the scheme will be gradually increased to Rs 3,000 per month by 2028, when the next Assembly elections are due. So far, over Rs 44,917 crore has been transferred into the accounts of women beneficiaries between June 2023 and October 2025, of which Rs 34,921 crore has been credited during Dr Yadavs tenure, from January 2024 to October 2025. The Rs 250 increase, initially scheduled for Bhai Dooj last month, was delayed due to administrative and budgetary reasons but was finally disbursed on Wednesday. Between 2023 and 2025, the government also released special festival assistance of Rs 250 on Raksha Bandhan each year for scheme beneficiaries. With the latest increase taking nearly two years to implement, it remains to be seen how the state government will phase in the remaining hikes to reach the promised Rs 3,000 monthly assistance by 2028.

Bhopal Model Death: Post-Mortem Reveals Pregnancy, Family Alleges Murder

A 21-year-old model, Khushboo Verma (Ahirwar), was found dead under suspicious circumstances early Monday morning, sending shockwaves through Bhopal's fashion circuit.

2024 Asia Cup winner Vishnu Raghunathan among two Navy kayakers killed in road mishap in Bhopal

BHOPAL: An early morning killer road mishap claimed the lives of two talented Indian Navy kayakers, including the Asia Cup gold medallist Vishnu Raghunathan in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal. Both the kayakers hailed from Kerala. The mishap happened in Bhopals Parwalia area on Sunday morning, when the duo identified as chief petty officer and 2024 Asia Cup gold medallist Vishnu Raghunathan (27) and petty officer Ananth Krishnan (18), were riding a motorcycle to Bhopals Boat Club for being part of an ongoing training camp. The duo was in Bhopal for the training camp of their naval unit and 18-year-old Ananth Krishnan had joined the Navy recently. According to local police sources, the accident happened when the speeding vehicle (possibly a truck) rammed into the motorcycle on the main road near Raksha Vihar Colony. Among the two naval kayakers, Vishnu Raghunathan was a national kayaking champion, who had won the gold medal in the 1000 m K-2 class at the 2024 Asia Cup in Hong Kong. He was counted among the brightest kayaking prospects for the country. The two critically injured kayakers were rushed to the hospital where Vishnu died just after admission, while Ananth succumbed to injuries during treatment some hours later. The forensic teams of the local police, have found blood stains at the accident spot and seized two helmets and a broken pole from there. The motorcycle used by the two kayakers was badly mangled. Primary investigations suggest that the two kayakers were dragged up to around 20-25 meters by the killer heavy vehicle. After lodging a case in the matter, the local police are examining the CCTV grabs from the cameras installed near the Defence Colony, to trace the heavy vehicle and the driver. Shocked by the two deaths, all kayaking-canoeing clubs across MP cancelled their practice sessions on Monday.

Bhopal model found dead under mysterious circumstances; live-in partner missing

BHOPAL: A 27-year-old female model, Khushboo Ahirwar, was found dead under mysterious circumstances on the outskirts of Madhya Pradeshs capital, Bhopal, early Monday morning. According to reports, Khushboo was allegedly abandoned by her live-in partner, Qasim, at a private hospital near Bhainsakhedi on Indore Road. Qasim has been untraceable since then. Doctors at the hospital declared Khushboo dead upon arrival. After being informed by the hospital, local police rushed to the scene, and the body was sent to Gandhi Medical College in Bhopal for autopsy under magisterial supervision. Outside the hospital, Khushboos mother, Laxmi Ahirwar, broke down in grief and alleged that her daughter had been brutally murdered. There were blue injury marks all over her body, her face was swollen, and there were bruises on her private parts as well. My daughter has been murdered brutally, alleged Laxmi. Family sources said Khushboo, a college dropout, had been in a live-in relationship with Qasim, who left her at the hospital and has been missing since. Preliminary police investigations suggest that Khushboo and Qasim were returning from Ujjain to Bhopal when her health deteriorated. Qasim reportedly left her at the hospital on Indore Road and fled. Echoing their mothers sentiments, Khushboos sister also alleged foul play and demanded Qasims immediate arrest. We want justice. The man who killed Khushboo should be arrested immediately and punished severely, she said. Khushboo, who had dropped out of college during her first year of a BA course, had been living in Bhopal for the past three years. Her mother recalled that three days earlier, Qasim had called the family to inform them that Khushboo was with him and that he was taking her to Ujjain. Later, Khushboo herself had called to reassure them about Qasims intentions. Known online by her Instagram handle @DiamondGirl, Khushboo was a rising model in Bhopals fashion circuit. She was also doing part-time jobs while pursuing her dream of becoming a top model. An inquest has been registered, and police have launched a search to locate and question the absconding Qasim. The autopsy report is awaited. The matter is being probed from all angles, including sexual assault and murder, a local police officer said.

Bhopal Model Khushboo Dies Under Suspicious Conditions, Family Accuses Boyfriend Qasim Of Murder

Khushboo Ahirwar died while travelling in a bus under mysterious circumstances. Her family has accused her boyfriend of pressuring her for religious conversion and beating her.