CJP to take up issue of ECI reforms as CEC Gyanesh Kumar faces flak
The CJP has cancelled its programmes scheduled for Thursday (September 24, 2026) and said its leadership would address a press conference in Delhi on the Hijacking of India's Democracy at noon.
Woman drugged, raped on pretext of job in Delhi's Mandawali, accused threatened to leak video
A 41-year-old woman was allegedly drugged and raped on the pretext of offering her a job in east Delhi's Mandawali area and later blackmailed with a purported video of the act, police said on Wednesday. A case has been registered in connection with the incident, and raids are being conducted to apprehend the accused, who is currently absconding.
41-Year-Old Woman Drugged, Raped On Pretext Of Job In Delhi: Cops
The woman, a resident of Laxmi Nagar, alleged that the accused, Deepak Bansal, a resident of Ganesh Nagar, had befriended her around two years ago and promised to help her secure a job.
Best of BS Opinion: Brics' New Delhi Declaration needs follow-up from India
From the bank strike and prohibition debate to WTO reform, infrastructure risk-sharing and the history of data, today's opinions examine policy choices, institutional design and their consequences
Delhi Cabinet approves DURGA e-auto scheme to empower women and transgender persons
The News Mill
Delhi Approves 5.5-Km Elevated Corridor To Bypass 12 Junctions
DMRC had prepared MMI plans for 31 stations across its Phase I and Phase II corridors. With the latest six receiving approval, all 31 plans have now been cleared by UTTIPEC.
Delhi High Court issues contempt notice to two men for releasing dogs on local commissioner
Justice Amit Bansal asked the two men to file affidavits in four weeks explaining why action should not be initiated against them for violating and wilfully disobeying judicial orders, and ordered them to be physically present in court on November 19
Delhi Bar Association Halts Strike Over New Traffic Fine System
The Delhi Bar Association has suspended a planned strike over concerns regarding a new traffic fine system, ensuring court operations continue. Delhi Bar Association Halts Strike Over New Traffic Fine System
CJP Takes On Election Commission After Report; Will This Lead To Next Jantar Mantar? | Watch
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has cancelled its Thursday programmes and announced a Delhi press conference following a report highlighting repeated objections by two Election Commissioners to poll panel decisions, including those linked to the SIR of electoral rolls. Founder Abhijeet Dipke took a swipe at CEC Gyanesh Kumar, while spokesperson Saurav Das said the party would focus on the Election Commission and voting rights. Das alleged that votes were being stolen and claimed the poll panel was compromised. These allegations have not been established as fact. Watch
'Falsehoods': India Blasts Pak As Islamabad's Indus Waters Campaign Hits UN Wall
Pakistan has carried the Indus Waters Treaty fight to the United Nations, circulating a letter after the Hague-based Court of Arbitration ruled that the treaty remains in force. But India rejects that court as illegally constituted and says its pronouncements have no legal effect. New Delhi has also accused Islamabad of malicious propaganda, misrepresentation and falsehoods. The key point is this: Pakistan got a ruling, but it has not secured collective UN action or a public coalition behind its letter. No UNGA resolution. No Security Council move. No demonstrated diplomatic pressure that has changed Indias policy. Islamabad wants the water dispute separated from terrorism. India refuses. It says the treaty was put in abeyance after the Pahalgam attack and will remain so until Pakistan credibly ends support for cross-border terrorism. This report explains the Hague ruling, Indias jurisdiction challenge, Pakistans UN push, and why trustnot water alonenow defines the dispute.
Ladakh adopts single merit list for Central Pool seats
Srinagar, Sep 23: In Ladakh, the Health & Medical Education Department has revised guidelines for admission to MBBS and BDS seats under the Central Pool, following the formation of seven new districts in the Union Territory of Ladakh. Under the existing system, introduced in 2021, candidates were considered under different categories and admitted through a roster system. The categories included Reserved and Unreserved candidates, Leh and Kargil districts, and male and female candidates, besides other categories prescribed under the existing guidelines. With approval of the Lieutenant Governor, the UT Administration has decided to amend the existing guidelines and introduce a single merit list for admission to Central Pool MBBS/BDS seats. Officials said the existing system of separate categories and roster shall be discontinued. They said a single merit list shall be maintained irrespective of the domicile district, sex, or Reserved/Unreserved category of the candidate. Admission to the allotted Medical and Dental Colleges shall be made strictly on the basis of NEET merit/ranking and the choices exercised by the eligible candidates. For the academic year 2026-27, the Government of India has allotted 7 MBBS and 2 BDS seats to the UT of Ladakh under the Central Pool. The MBBS seats have been allotted to Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi; L.L.R.M. Medical College, Meerut; Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi; R.S.D.K.S. Government Medical College, Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh; Dumka Medical College, Jharkhand; M.L.B. Medical College, Jhansi; and Chandulal Chandrakar Memorial Medical College, Durg, Chhattisgarh, with one seat in each institution. The two BDS seats have been allotted to K.G. Dental College, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, and Government Dental College, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, with one seat in each institution. A period of seven days shall be provided to all interested and eligible candidates having a valid NEET ranking to apply for the Central Pool MBBS/BDS seats through the official Ladakh NIC portal. Eligible candidates are advised to visit the official website of the Administration of UT of Ladakh, for detailed guidelines and further information regarding the application process.
Maharashtra Students Engage with Delhi Chief Minister in Campus to Parliament Initiative
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta meets 40 Maharashtra students under Campus to Parliament initiative, fostering youth engagement in governance. Maharashtra Students Engage with Delhi Chief Minister in Campus to Parliament Initiative
News report says Election Commissioners had objected on record at least 14 times over past 10 months; EC says decisions unanimous New Delhi: Differences in the Election Commission with two election commissioners repeatedly dissenting over the SIR of voter list spilled into the open on Wednesday, triggering Opposition demands for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumars []
Jammu Police arrest fugitive after seven-month manhunt
Jammu, Sep 23: Jammu Police have arrested Karanjeet alias Gugga, a wanted criminal who had escaped from the Juvenile Home at R.S. Pura in February this year, after a nearly seven-month-long manhunt, SSP Jammu said on Wednesday. Addressing a press conference, the SSP said Karanjeet was among three inmates who escaped from the juvenile home following an incident in February. The other two, both Pakistani nationals, were later arrested in Ambala with the assistance of Punjab and Haryana Police. Following the escape, the investigation was handed over to the DSP SOG and a Special Investigation Team headed by the SP Operations was constituted to trace those involved. Eight people were arrested in that case. The investigation continued and at the same time we were trying to arrest Karanjeet alias Gugga, the SSP said. He said Karanjeet was involved in around 12 to 13 FIRs and police tracked his movements by developing information about his associates and gang links. Police teams followed leads in several locations, including Gorakhpur, Kolkata, Delhi and Maharashtra, but he managed to evade arrest. The SSP said police recently received information that Karanjeet was staying with some associates in Chandigarh. A team raided the suspected location but did not find him there. During the follow-up investigation, police learnt that he was staying at a hotel in Delhi. An SOG team subsequently travelled to Delhi and arrested him, the SSP said. He said the arrest was significant for the ongoing investigation into the juvenile home incident, as police had identified additional persons linked to the case. The SSP said Karanjeets interrogation would help establish missing links in the investigation, including how weapons and mobile phones reached the juvenile home. Police had earlier arrested the person who allegedly supplied the weapons, while further investigation is underway to establish the complete chain, he said. The SSP said Karanjeet had been moving between different locations to evade arrest, with police following leads across Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Delhi. On security arrangements at the juvenile home, the SSP said the police had taken up the matter with the concerned department and another location had also been identified for housing inmates. He said further details would emerge as the interrogation of Karanjeet progresses.
Tourists stop to soak in Zojilas beauty
Ganderbal: The iconic Zojila Pass is witnessing a new trend among tourists travelling between Kashmir and Ladakh, with visitors increasingly stopping at the high-altitude pass to enjoy the landscape, sip hot tea and capture photographs and videos. Located at around 14,649 feet above sea level, Zojila is known for its challenging terrain and unpredictable weather. The stretch also remains particularly cold, and even during the summer months, tourists can encounter rain and chilly conditions at the pass. A signboard reading I Love Zojila, installed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), has become a popular spot for tourists to stop and take pictures. During a recent visit, tourists travelling towards Ladakh and Srinagar were seen spending time at the point, clicking photographs, recording reels and enjoying hot tea and snacks at temporary stalls operating along the route. We stayed here for almost half an hour just to capture photographs and videos. The view is beautiful and this is something we will remember, said Rahul Sharma, a tourist from Delhi, who was travelling towards Ladakh with his friends. Another tourist, Neha Verma from Jaipur, said the journey through Zojila was an experience in itself. The road looks challenging and at some places it feels adventurous, but the mountains and the landscape are breathtaking. We stopped here for tea and Maggi and really enjoyed the weather, she said. For Arjun Mehta from Mumbai, the stop at Zojila offered an opportunity to experience the mountain landscape up close. We had planned only a short stop, but after seeing the view and the I Love Zojila sign, we stayed longer for pictures and videos. The cold weather and mountains make this place special, he said. Tourists said that although the Zojila road is considered one of the more difficult stretches on the SrinagarLadakh route, the dramatic mountains, winding road and changing weather make the journey memorable.
Show-cause notices issued to 37 bus drivers at Wazirabad DTC depot over ongoing stir
Show-cause notices issued to 37 bus drivers at Wazirabad DTC depot over ongoing stir
Three Khauf gang members held in Delhi
One accused wanted in 13 FIRs; SOG Jammu conducts operation Sarbjeet Singh Jammu Tawi, September 23: The Special Operations Group (SOG) Jammu has arrested three alleged members of the Khauf gang from Delhi as part of its ongoing crackdown on organised criminal activities. Among those arrested is Karanjit Singh alias Gugga, a resident of Dablehar, [] The post Three Khauf gang members held in Delhi appeared first on Northlines .
Murder accused who fled juvie home among 3 criminals held in Delhi
Bank loses Rs 1.5 crore in gold loan fraud
Record savings for people on medical expenses under Ayushman Bharat: PM
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said more than 60 crore beneficiaries now have access to Rs 5 lakh annual health cover under Ayushman Bharat, as the flagship healthcare programme completed eight years. In a post on X marking the occasion, Modi said Ayushman Bharat was rolled out eight years ago with the [] The post Record savings for people on medical expenses under Ayushman Bharat: PM appeared first on Northlines .
Three killed in separate road accidents in Greater Noida
Man handed life term for murdering wife in 2022 over domestic dispute
Sanitation strike over, but garbage still piles up across Noida sectors
Protest after students pay for Gr Noida college seat, told to write papers in Mathura centre
RHFL, RCFL PMLA case: Delhi HC grants bail to Amitabh Jhunjhunwala considering his medical condition
The Delhi High Court has granted regular bail to former Reliance ADAG Group MD Amitabh Jhunjhunwala in a money laundering case, citing his medical condition and holding that he qualifies as a sick or infirm person under the PMLA. Justice Madhu Jain granted bail against a Rs 1 lakh personal bond and two sureties, with conditions including surrendering his passport and seeking court permission to travel abroad.
Delhi HC seeks DU, candidates response on victory processions
Congested Vijay Nagar stretch of NH-9 set to get overbridge to check jaywalking
Accident victim taken to 2 hospitals, doesnt get treatment he needs, dies at third
Rains over, Noida sets Oct 20 deadline to fix broken roads by Oct 20
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind Raises Concerns Over Constitutional and Religious Rights
The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hinds working committee addresses concerns about rights, mob lynching, and administrative bias in New Delhi. Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind Raises Concerns Over Constitutional and Religious Rights
Haryana school guest teachers protest at Education Ministers residence, seek regularisation
Delhis infra-governance problem
PGs and coaching institutes need to be recognised as a separate category of mixed-use educational buildings under municipal and urban local body regulations
UP STF arrests 2 directors of co linked to constable exam that solver gang got access to
ECI's ERONET Controversy: Voter Database Row, Software Errors & 17.6 Million Notices Raise Questions
Around 17.6 million voters across Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Delhi have received notices over logical discrepancies during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). At the centre of the controversy is ERONET, now integrated into ECINET. The Indian Express has reported concerns over voter database access and control, while individual cases highlight spelling, translation and age-calculation errors. We examine the Election Commissions response, the experiences of affected voters, the Goa case involving 97 voters, and the legal role of Electoral Registration Officers. Who controls the system, and how can voter records be corrected?
Delhi Police launches drive to boost womens safety in parks, 379 held
Residents unhappy with upkeep of parks; LG issues order, DDA to start safety audit
Jaishankar airs India's concerns over new tariff Act with Marco Rubio
India and the US on Wednesday discussed bilateral relations and New Delhi's concerns regarding the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session. Jaishankar, who arrived in New York City Sunday, is leading the Indian delegation for the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. Good to meet @SecRubio of the US #UNHighLevelWeek. Reiterated India's interests and concerns with regard to SRIA (Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act). Also discussed the Gulf and Ukraine situations, Jaishankar posted on X after the meeting. US President Donald Trump signed into law the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 last week, which authorises him to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries buying Russian oil and gas, including China and India. In its reaction, New Delhi said that it will take all necessary steps to protect its economic interests and ensure
MoD Signs 811-Crore Deal With BDL For 160 Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons
The contract, signed in New Delhi on Wednesday in the presence of defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, has been placed under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category.
Sonam Wangchuk leads march in Leh
The Kargil Democratic Alliance held a similar march in Kargil, where hundreds of people participated, including members of the Socialist Party of India and a group of students from Delhi University.
These Roads Belong To Us: LSR Women March To Reclaim Their Streets
Women students and former students of Delhi's Lady Shri Ram College march to reclaim the roads around their campus and demand safer streets. Despite police presence and a security booth near the college, students say poor lighting, unsafe lanes and inadequate patrolling continue to make them feel vulnerableraising wider questions about women's safety in the heart of Delhi.
Delhi-bound flight returns to London after technical snag
Car flips after trying to avoid e-rickshaw in Delhi, passenger escapes through rear window
A WagonR overturned near the Shakti Nagar roundabout in Delhi, with the entire incident captured on video. The footage, which is now circulating on social media, shows the car losing control before hitting the divider and flipping over.
Ladakh's unfinished settlement: Negotiation, representation and power
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) Many in Ladakh welcomed the August 5, 2019, abrogation of Article 370, bifurcating Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories (UTs), a demand they had been pushing for years, realising that they have been ignored in favour of Kashmir. Ladakh-based climate activist Sonam Wangchuk had then tweeted, Ladakh thanks @narendramodi @PMOIndia for fulfilling Ladakh's longstanding dream. It was exactly 30 years ago in August 1989 that Ladakhi leaders launched a movement for UT status. Thank you all who helped in this democratic decentralisation. Soon doubts began to arise. The reason for dissatisfaction included not being consulted over the abrogation, creation of a UT without a Legislature. It also led to reduction of four MLAs which Ladakh sent to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. Finally, they began assuming that they were being exploited to meet the Centre's interest in managing Kashmir. Those who had initially welcomed the move began agitating against it. Initial protests began with four demands. The first was converting Ladakh into a state, thereby giving more power to the people. The second was legal protection under the Sixth Schedule to safeguard culture, language and land rights. They also sought job reservations and an additional Lok Sabha seat, thereby providing independent representations for both Leh and Kargil regions. The Home Ministry, in response to demands created a committee under the Minister of State for Home to examine the complaints as also interact with representatives of the region. Ladakh was represented by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). Sonam Wangchuk, exploiting his public fame and reputation for persistent hunger strikes pushed his way to become a member of the negotiating team and worked to become the face of the protests. He has been seeking a greater political role and recognition. Protests crossed limits during Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike on September 24 last year when clashes with the police resulted in four deaths and many injured. Sonam Wangchuk was arrested and spent six months in jail before being released in March this year. It took some time before talks resumed again. Sonam Wangchuk had attempted similar tactics of violence when he fasted at the Cockroach Janta Party protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi recently, but was instead exploited by the organisers and finally dumped. He now seeks to regain his standing. The latest round of talks between the Centre and representatives of Ladakh were held on September 9 this year. In this round, it was decided that there would be a UT-level elected body with Legislative, Executive and Financial powers. Its members would be chosen by direct elections, another demand from local negotiators. Delimitation would be done separately for Ladakh and constitutional protection guaranteed for environment, culture, heritage, land and natural resources under a special provision of Article 371, especially designed for Ladakh. This would not be alterable without a two-third majority in the Parliament. However, the Union government was hesitant to guarantee all powers across the board, including law and order, largely because of its location and sensitive environment in the region, mainly Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier rounds had already delivered reservations in government posts. A domicile framework has also been put in place; five languages notified and a third of Hill Council seats reserved for women. On its part, Ladakh groups were willing to give up their demand for statehood in case the proposal of the Legislative body met their requirements. Thus, progress was evident and major aspects cleared, pending fine tuning. The Centre also released Rs 1.52 crore as compensation for those killed or wounded in the protests of September last year, with families of those killed receiving Rs 15 lakh each. What remained unsettled was dividing powers between Hill Councils and the new territorial body. The Centre faced the problem that both claimed the same subjects, forests, land and local administration. Unless these are divided further action cannot be taken. There was no satisfactory common solution provided by the participants. Hence, they were given eight to ten questions on the subject, the answers of which they should submit after discussing with local residents. This would resolve this issue. These were to be submitted in the next round of talks in October. The Chief Secretary of Ladakh Ashish Kundra even mentioned that the Centre was not keen to impose a model which was unacceptable to the local populace. However, Sonam Wangchuk began pushing a fake narrative that unless they received an assurance from the Union government that no major decisions would be undertaken by the UT government until the changes were implemented, fresh protests would commence. It was evident that he was seeking an excuse to instigate violence as he took to social media platform X while visiting Jantar Mantar and said, Only tea was good in the meeting, otherwise no new decision. Senior politicians from Ladakh, including former MP Thupstan Chhewang urged Ladakhi leaders to continue building on the progress made thus far, rather than return to the streets, which would push all progress under the carpet. He described the last meeting as 'positive' and went on to say that several positive developments and points of consensus discussed during the meeting were not brought before the people. Even the LAB and KDA in a joint statement after the talks mentioned that the meeting furthered the in-principle understanding reached in the May and July talks. It appears that Sonam Wangchuk, who was losing his grip in the movement, especially after being incarcerated for six months, is now looking to re-emerge as the face. In the next few days, despite all pleading by senior members from Ladakh, Sonam Wangchuk will begin his trademark hunger strike, on some pretext, commence a padyatra to garner support and finally push for violence. He will exploit the Gen Z in a similar manner as he did in the Cockroach Janta Party protest in Delhi. His ambition is to be the individual who grabs power in the new government, sidelining the current leadership, for which he is willing to do anything, including loss of innocent lives. It is with this intention that Sonam Wangchuk twisted what was actually discussed and progress achieved, concentrating instead on pushing his concept of 'all or nothing'. Rather than accept that the Centre is interested in resolving issues and moving forward to complete actions under a democratic framework, Sonam Wangchuk is instigating protests and violence. Sonam Wangchuk's actions would offset negotiations, delaying the process as also impacting governance at all levels. As long as negotiations continue, elections at Panchayat and Hill Council levels are held up, stopping local development, especially for five newly created districts. Funds meant for development cannot be allocated and the process slows down. Recruitment, too, cannot commence impacting the youth. What should have led to progress is now being exploited to push political agendas. It is hoped that the youth of Ladakh understand that the Centre is not seeking confrontation rather collaboration and resolution to satisfaction of locals. They must listen to saner voices and not become involved in ongoing power struggles for power. (Major General Harsha Kakar (retired) is a former Indian Army officer, strategic analyst and columnist) harsha/khz
Nagaland: Filmmaker Theja Rio returns to Delhi after
Dimapur: After winning the Platform Competition at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2026 for his film Angh, director Theja Rio arrived in New Delhi from Toronto on Tuesday. He was accorded a warm reception by the Angami Krotho Delhi and well-wishers upon his return from Toronto at Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport. Angh, the [] The post Nagaland: Filmmaker Theja Rio returns to Delhi after Angh wins at TIFF 2026 appeared first on NorthEast Now .
China-Pak boundary commission: A technical body with larger strategic message (IANS Analysis)
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) The activation of the ChinaPakistan Boundary Joint Commission may look like routine diplomacy. But behind its language of surveys, trade and border markers lies a larger dispute over who has the right to manage territory connected to Kashmir. China and Pakistan call the commission practical; India sees it as an attempt to make a disputed arrangement appear permanent. A New Mechanism China and Pakistan operationalised the commission at its first meeting in Islamabad on September 16-17, 2026. The meeting was co-chaired by Li Ya of Chinas Foreign Ministry and Bilal Mahmood Chaudhary of Pakistans Foreign Ministry. They discussed border management, joint surveys, cross-border movement, trade and people-to-people links and agreed to meet again in China. The commission was created under the 2013 ChinaPakistan Agreement on the Boundary Management System. Article 45 provides for a joint body to supervise border-management arrangements. Its duties include inspecting the frontier, conducting surveys, maintaining markers, managing cross-border facilities and dealing with incidents. If a marker cannot be returned to its original position, the commission may choose another site, but it is not supposed to alter the boundary line. The aim sounds administrative. Yet each survey, inspection and facility can strengthen control when a borders legal status is contested. The Unresolved Foundation The commission rests on older history. China and Pakistan signed their original boundary agreement in Beijing on March 2, 1963. It placed the Shaksgam Valley, also known as the Trans-Karakoram Tract, under Chinese control. India says the territory is part of Ladakh and that Pakistan had no right to transfer it. New Delhi has never recognised the 1963 agreement and calls it illegal and invalid. The 1963 agreement described the settlement as provisional. Article 6 said that after India and Pakistan settled the Kashmir dispute, the sovereign authority concerned would reopen negotiations with China and sign a formal boundary treaty. This clause is central to the criticism, the original arrangement acknowledged that Kashmir was unresolved, while the new commission creates a continuing system for managing the frontier. India says the disputed area covers about 5,180 square kilometres in the Shaksgam Valley. For New Delhi, the issue concerns sovereignty and Pakistans authority to negotiate over territory it claims. Trade and Strategic Access The Commission supports trade and movement through the Khunjerab Pass, the main land route linking Chinas Xinjiang region with Pakistan. The pass is connected to the Karakoram Highway and the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor. Coordination can help customs and transport, but can also deepen the routes strategic value. India objects to CPEC projects passing through Pakistan-administered Kashmir because it considers the region Indian territory. Critics argue that infrastructure and border cooperation are not neutral. Roads, crossings and official surveys can create facts on the ground and make future negotiations harder. For Pakistan, the commission offers stronger trade links and closer cooperation with China. For Beijing, it protects a sensitive connection between Xinjiang and Pakistan and provides an official channel for security and infrastructure concerns. The arrangement serves both interests. Indias Legal Objection India rejected the commission after its activation. Its External Affairs Ministry said there is no legally recognised ChinaPakistan boundary concerning Indian territory and called the body without legal basis. New Delhi said Pakistan has no authority to make arrangements involving territory that India describes as under Pakistans illegal and forcible occupation. Indias objection has two parts. First, it rejects the 1963 transfer of Shaksgam Valley and says Pakistan could not negotiate away territory claimed by India. Second, it opposes CPEC and related infrastructure in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. India argues that the commission cannot change its sovereignty claims or legitimise control by China and Pakistan. China and Pakistan reject this interpretation. They treat their agreements as valid bilateral arrangements and describe the commission as normal border cooperation. Their position is that the body will manage practical matters, not settle Indias larger Kashmir claim. Why It Matters The commission does not formally redraw a map. Its immediate role is to maintain markers, conduct surveys, manage crossings and prevent incidents. But its political effect may be greater than its technical mandate. Regular meetings can make disputed control look normal, while infrastructure and trade can bind the territory more closely to China and Pakistan. That is why the commission has become a regional issue. Beijing and Islamabad see a useful instrument for stability and connectivity. India sees an attempt to institutionalise an arrangement made without its consent and involving territory it claims. The criticism is simple: technical administration cannot erase a political dispute or create lawful ownership.
PM Modi to interact with 'Seva Yatris' via video conference tomorrow
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with participants in the 'Seva Yatra' via video conference at 9 a.m. on Thursday, as 10 groups of Seva Yatris continue their motorcycle journey from Gujarat's Vadnagar to Varanasi. The Seva Yatra began on September 17 and is part of the wider 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' to highlight PM Modi's 25 years of public life. The participants are travelling through towns, districts, talukas and villages, with the programme focusing on taking community service and public engagement activities to the grassroots. The organisers said the journey is not limited to a motorcycle expedition, but is designed to bring together service, communication, youth participation, social welfare, cultural connect and community mobilisation at different locations along the route. 10 groups are undertaking the Vadnagar-to-Varanasi journey. BJP leaders said the two-way motorcycle yatras between Vadnagar and Varanasi involve young participants travelling across multiple states, districts and villages. During the journey, the Seva Yatris have engaged with local communities and participated in service-oriented activities. These have included cleanliness drives and interactions with beneficiaries and residents, as well as activities at schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and other community locations. The journey is scheduled to continue until October 7. The broader campaign was launched from Vadnagar on September 17 by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, with the Vadnagar-to-Varanasi bike yatra being flagged off as part of the initiative. The interaction with the Prime Minister on Thursday will give the Seva Yatris a chance to share their experiences from the journey, which is intended to connect youth participation and community service across the locations covered by the teams. The wider motorcycle initiative includes journeys in both directions between Vadnagar, associated with PM Modi's early life, and Varanasi, his Lok Sabha constituency.
BJP appoints new state in-charges; Nitin Nabin congratulates appointees
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) BJP National President Nitin Nabin on Tuesday announced a fresh set of appointments of state in-charges and co-in-charges for various states and J&K. The appointments, detailed in an official press release from the partys central office, take effect immediately and cover organisational responsibilities across nearly all states and J&K. In a post on X, Nabin congratulated the newly appointed State Prabharis and Sah Prabharis. He said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, their efforts would strengthen the organisation and help realise the collective dream of Viksit Bharat 2047. Notable appointments include Smriti Irani as in-charge for both Chandigarh and Haryana, with Siddharth Shambhu as co-in-charge for Chandigarh and Bhola Singh for Haryana. Baijayant Jay Panda has been named state in-charge for Maharashtra, assisted by co-in-charges Amit Malviya, Sadanand Shet Tanavade and Kamaljeet Sahrawat. In Uttar Pradesh, Vinod Tawde will serve as state in-charge, with Jagadish Patel, Medha Kulkarni, Pradeep Verma and Anant Ojha as co-in-charges. Sunil Bansal has been assigned to both Telangana and West Bengal. For Telangana, Abhay Patil and Rekha Sharma are co-in-charges, while West Bengals co-in-charges are Lal Singh Arya, Rajendra Singh and Pinki Kushwaha. Other key assignments include Biplab Kumar Deb as in-charge for Madhya Pradesh, with Rekha Verma as co-in-charge; Ram Madhav for Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand; Harish Dwivedi for Bihar and Karnataka; and Satish Poonia for J&K and Punjab. Mangal Pandey has been named for Assam, while Arvind Bhadauria will head Andhra Pradesh with Vanathi Srinivasan as co-in-charge. Nabin has also appointed Ashish Usha Agrawal as convenor of the media department and Anil Baluni as co-ordinator of the communication department. The list further covers smaller states and J&K, including assignments for Andaman & Nicobar, Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Puducherry, Sikkim and Tripura. Several leaders hold dual or multiple responsibilities. The circular, issued by national office in-charge Tarun Chugh to all state presidents and organisational general secretaries, aims to strengthen the partys organisational network ahead of future electoral and organisational programmes.
Ex-IIT Delhi director backs Prof Doolla, suggests 5-year BTech programme
Delhi gangrape: Accused took turns; one assaulted, one kept watch
New Delhi: The three men accused of gangraping a 17-year-old girl at Astha Kunj Park in Delhi followed her for nearly a kilometre before closing in, after which they took turns sexually assaulting her at different locations, including benches, summoning each other to the spots over phone calls, police said on Wednesday, September 23. With 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 .
SC stays Allahabad HC order quashing students NSA detention
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed the operation of the Allahabad High Court judgment, directing the recovery of Rs 5 lakh compensation from the salary of the Gautam Buddha Nagar District Magistrate and other officials for student activist Akriti Chaudhary's detention under the National Security Act (NSA). The apex court also stayed the High Court order, which quashed the student's detention under the NSA. A Bench of Justices Satish Chandra Sharma and NK Singh passed the interim order while hearing separate petitions filed by Gautam Buddha Nagar District Magistrate Medha Roopam and the Uttar Pradesh government challenging the judgment of the Allahabad High Court. The apex court granted permission to file the special leave petition (SLP) in the matter filed by Medha Roopam and issued notice to Akriti Chaudhary and other respondents. It also issued notice in the petition filed by the Uttar Pradesh government and other officials. Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for Chaudhary, accepted notice on her behalf. The respondents were granted two weeks' time to file their replies. After hearing senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi, Colin Gonsalves and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on the question of interim relief, the Supreme Court ordered that the operation of the impugned judgment, particularly paragraphs 27 to 33, will remain stayed until the matter is heard on merits. The Justice Sharma-led Bench posted both matters for further hearing on October 7, 2026. The Allahabad High Court, in its judgment passed on September 2, had allowed the habeas corpus petition filed by Chaudhary and held that her continued incarceration under the NSA was violative of her rights under Article 21. It directed that Chaudhary be set at liberty if she was not wanted in any other case and ordered payment of Rs 5 lakh compensation, to be recovered from the salary of the District Magistrate, Gautam Buddha Nagar, as well as other officials found responsible, ight down to the SHO of the Police Station who had prepared the initial report leading to her detention. The case arose from labour unrest in Gautam Buddha Nagar in April 2026, when workers protested over low wages, long working hours and inadequate pay. The Uttar Pradesh government had claimed that Chaudhary acted as an agent provocateur and that her activities and dissemination of information contributed to violence that erupted from April 13. However, Chaudhary had contended that the proceedings against her were an attempt to stifle her freedom of speech and expression and that there was no material warranting her detention under the stringent provisions of the NSA. The High Court observed that the alleged violence had commenced only after Chaudhary was taken into custody. It also examined WhatsApp conversations and stated that the state government had failed to identify a single message or video clip showing that she had incited violence or disclosed any conspiracy to provoke rioting, arson or destruction of property. The High Court further observed that the videos relied upon by the authorities showed people gathered peacefully and did not indicate that the crowd was armed or agitated. Any detention under the NSA is an exception. It is not a substitute to ensure that a person who may receive bail on account of merits of his case is still detained in custody under a concocted reasoning by the State, the High Court had said. It had also held that the grounds of detention were repetitive, speculative and are only opinion-based and lacked supporting material for the District Magistrate's conclusions. The High Court further observed that a notice issued under Section 130 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) appeared to have been prepared after Chaudhary's arrest, describing the procedure as ex post facto the arrest and nothing more than a sham. On the compensation issue, the High Court had criticised the conduct of the Gautam Buddha Nagar District Magistrate and observed that the officer was expected to carefully examine the material before invoking the NSA against a female student activist. It had said the conduct of the District Magistrate was worthy of derision and held that the officer had desired to set an example out of the petitioner and deter others from exercising their right to freedom of speech and expression in public spaces in support of the labourers. The High Court had further observed that the District Magistrate was guilty of violating his oath of allegiance and held that the case warranted compensation. It had also stressed that peaceful agitation is protected by the Constitution and compared the role of protests to a safety valve in a pressure cooker, helping release accumulated public grievances rather than allowing them to build up to a point where violence becomes inevitable.
Ktaka Assembly session extended to discuss drought
Digital Desk | Bengaluru, Sep 23 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday said the Assembly session has been extended by one day to facilitate a detailed discussion on the worsening drought situation in the state. Speaking to the media at Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar said more than 200 taluks were facing severe drought conditions and that the situation had become serious. The severity of the drought in the state has increased. More than 200 taluks have been affected by severe drought, and the situation is serious. Therefore, the Assembly session has been extended by one day to discuss the drought, Shivakumar said. He added that legislators and public representatives wanted to discuss the drought situation in detail. Ministers and the Deputy Chief Ministers will officially respond to the questions and suggestions raised by legislators during the proceedings, he said. On the proposal to take an all-party delegation to Delhi, Shivakumar said all political party leaders had agreed to the move. It has been decided to take an all-party delegation to Delhi to discuss drought relief and assistance from the Centre. Leaders of all parties have agreed to this, he said. Meanwhile, Shivakumar said the Congress is confident it will win all four seats in the upcoming Karnataka Legislative Council elections. We are confident of winning all four seats in the Legislative Council elections. We selected good candidates one year in advance. The party and the government will work together, he said. Shivakumar spoke to the media near the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office after a meeting with ministers and party legislators about the elections. He said elections had been announced for four Legislative Council seats and that, as the Assembly session was underway, he met with legislators on Wednesday to discuss the elections and provide guidance. All ministers and legislators will take responsibility and work for the elections, he said. On his proposed visit to Delhi, Shivakumar said he had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking an appointment. I have written to the Prime Minister seeking time for a meeting. Once the appointment is given, an all-party delegation will be taken to Delhi, he said.
Ram Mohan Naidu Welcomes Direct Delhi Flight To Bhogapuram
Akasa Airs decision to launch direct flights between New Delhi and Bhogapuram Airport from October 25: Reports
Kalkaji gang-rape fallout: DDA orders safety audit of all Delhi parks, restricts access after sunset
Subhash Chandra challenges NCLT Bench
New Delhi: Essel Group founder Subhash Chandra has approached the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) challenging the order of a five-member Bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) that stayed approval of his repayment plan and restrained him from alienating his properties. The appeal came up for hearing before a three-member Bench of 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 .
Delhi to get 600 more AEROs to handle SIR notices
Govt halts new challan system after talk with lawyers
Court orders report on plea against father-daughter duo over religious posts
Delhi Cabinet clears DURGA scheme
2 Hindu College teachers served show-cause notices over remarks against principal
Portions of mosque, houses in Shalimar Bagh razed by MCD
Midnight Demolition Drive Sparks Concerns
HC asks DU to explain victory celebrations during DUSU polls
Congress alleges discrimination in Delhis voter roll revision drive
DTC strike: HC asks why ESMA not invoked
Disposes of plea after counsel says 96% buses back in service
Opposition unity: SP-Congress rift in UP a close reminder of 2025 Bihar polls
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) The latest exchange between leaders of the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Congress ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election is a reminder of opposition parties making the political contest against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secondary to the war of attrition within its own ranks. While the BJP has begun strengthening its organisation and preparing for the high-stakes electoral battle next year, sections among its principal rivals appear preoccupied with settling the question of who should be leading the Opposition. This is currently the contention between SP MP Iqra Hasan and Congress MP Imran Masood. Hasan reportedly said that only SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav is capable of defeating the BJP in Uttar Pradesh and suggested that the Congress could achieve little on its own. Masood is said to have responded by insisting that Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is the only Opposition leader with a national reach capable of unsettling the BJP. The signal thus emerging from Uttar Pradesh is that despite repeated assurances from the top leadership of both parties that the alliance remains intact, there is still no consensus on hierarchy, ownership and political primacy within. That should worry Opposition ranks at this hour. In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the SP emerged as the principal beneficiary of the alliance, winning far more seats than the Congress and re-establishing itself as the state's dominant Opposition force. Akhilesh Yadav sought to broaden his party's social coalition with PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, and Alpsankhyak) and provided a coherent political message against the BJP. It is the principal reason that SP leaders see Akhilesh Yadav, not Rahul Gandhi, as the central face of any challenge in Uttar Pradesh. But for the Congress, despite the political setbacks, Rahul Gandhi's national campaign against the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) remains the focus, saying that national visibility and a broader anti-BJP platform that regional parties alone cannot provide. For a probable alliance platform, the trouble is that rather than discussing it internally, opinions are being aired publicly. Uttar Pradesh has seen alliances collapse under the weight of leadership ambiguity and seat-sharing disputes. Yet, the issue of the top face has emerged larger than whether voters believe the coalition's common purpose. Before the Bihar Assembly election last year, the Opposition Mahagathbandhan spent months wrestling with questions that should have been resolved early. There were disputes over seat-sharing between the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress, and among other allies, with disagreements over each party's bargaining power and persistent speculation over leadership arrangements. Reports at the time highlighted friction between the RJD and Congress as negotiations dragged on and both parties accused each other of being inflexible. It created the impression that alliance partners were more concerned with protecting their respective egos than presenting a united alternative. Even when compromises were eventually reached, public memory of the wranglings lingered. Back in Uttar Pradesh too, seat-sharing remains a sensitive issue. Congress leaders have pushed for an early settlement, while the SP appears less eager to finalise arrangements. Congress functionaries have spoken of fighting on equal terms and demanding greater space, while SP leaders have projected confidence in their independent strength. However, electoral logic strongly favours cooperation. The Congress is too weak in the state to seriously challenge the BJP on its own, while the SP knows that even a modest Congress vote share can matter in closely fought Assembly constituencies. Like Bihar, a public spat may not augur well where every spat on who is the eal Opposition face chips away at voter's confidence. The BJP will likely benefit from such utterances. While Opposition leaders debate credit, the ruling party's well-oiled electoral machine is preparing early, strengthening organisation and focusing on booth-level mobilisation. The Opposition needs to have learnt its lesson from Bihar where too much time and animosity now on leadership and seat-sharing may pose a similar risk. They would do well to remember that elections are rarely won by deciding who gets top billing in the Opposition poster, though these make good debate; rather, won by convincing voters that everyone on that poster is working towards the same goal.
National Nutrition Month 2026 Kicks Off with Focus on Dietary Diversity in New Delhi
The ninth National Nutrition Month 2026 was launched in New Delhi, emphasizing dietary diversity and adequate protein intake for better health. National Nutrition Month 2026 Kicks Off with Focus on Dietary Diversity in New Delhi
Astha Kunj gang rape: Trio trailed teens for a kilometre, coordinated assault over phone
Fashion designer Masaba Gupta joins UNFPA as India's new maternal health advocate
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) India has named designer and entrepreneur Masaba Gupta as its India Advocate for Maternal Health at a moment when the country stands closer than ever to eliminating preventable maternal deaths. She joins UNFPA India for a year-long push on maternal health, as the country's maternal mortality ratio falls to its lowest ever, 87 per lakh live births in 2022-2024, according to a statement released by the world body on Wednesday. India has reduced its Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) by an impressive 73 per cent between 2000 and 2023, positioning the country to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of an MMR below 70 before 2030, it added. This remarkable progress, driven by more than two decades of government investment in institutional deliveries, skilled birth attendance and last-mile health worker networks under the National Health Mission, has saved the lives of countless women across the country, particularly those from marginalised communities, the statement observed. Even as the numbers tell the story, Masabas advocacy will begin with what happens after a woman gives birth, including the exhaustion, the stigma, the silence around recovery and mental health. Over a year-long engagement, she will bring together digital advocacy, thought leadership and on-ground engagement in service of a single goal: putting the physical and emotional realities of pregnancy, childbirth, and early motherhood at the centre of public conversation. Nobody warns you what motherhood actually costs a woman: physically, mentally, socially. The moment the baby arrives, all the attention shifts to the child, and the mother, whos just been through the most demanding thing a body can do, quietly disappears from the conversation. Shes the one who needs care the most at that moment, and shes the one nobodys checking on, the statement quoted Masaba Gupta. I wanted to work with UNFPA specifically because this isnt a marketing story for them. Its decades of unglamorous work: the health workers, the systems, the real reasons Indias maternal mortality numbers have actually come down. Im not interested in the soft-light version of this. If I can use whatever platform I have to say the things women usually only say to each other in private, thats the role I actually want, she added. The 37-year-old fashion designer, who has developed her own label, the iconic House of Masaba, is the daughter of film actress Neena Gupta and West Indies former cricketer Viv Richards. A decline in maternal mortality reflects what is possible when sustained public investment, strong health systems and committed health workers come together, said Andrea M. Wojnar, UNFPA Representative India. India has made extraordinary progress, but reaching zero preventable maternal deaths means going further: ensuring that every woman can access quality care, make informed choices and receive the support she needs before, during, and after childbirth. Masaba brings a powerful ability to make these conversations visible, relatable, and impossible to ignore. Her advocacy can help ensure that the progress India has made translates into an even deeper commitment to every womans right to survive, recover, and thrive, added Wojnar. Masaba Gupta joins a growing consortium of celebrated voices committed to UNFPA India's cause, alongside Kriti Sanon, National Ambassador for Gender Equality and Soha Ali Khan, Advocate for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.
Delhi HC rejects CBI plea against Chitra Ramkrishna's bail in NSE case
The Delhi High Court has dismissed the CBI's challenge to a December 2022 order granting former NSE chief Chitra Ramkrishna bail in the alleged employee phone interception case
MoD inks 811 crore contract for 160 SAT-SAAW glide bombs for IAF
According to the Ministry of Defence, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh was present when the contract was signed in New Delhi under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category
New Delhi [India], September 23 : An Indian national lost his life while 19 other Indian seafarers were rescued after their commercial vessel, MV Cape Dao, came under attack off the east coast of Oman. India condemned the attack on the vessel and said continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply worrisome. We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel MV Cape Dao earlier today off the east coast of Oman. Of the 20 Indian seafarers on board, 19 have been rescued, while 1 Indian national tragically lost his life. We offer our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. MEA said Indias embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Omani authorities for early repatriation of the Indian seafarers. The government thanked the Omani authorities for their support. The continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply worrisome. We reiterate our call for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions and enable early return of peace to the region, MEA statement said. It said the targeting of commercial shipping, seafarers and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region must be restored at the earliest. Embassy of India in Oman said it is in touch with Omani authorities. We are closely monitoring the attack on MV Cape Dao today while transiting toward India, and are in close coordination with Omani authorities regarding the safety of all crew on board, including 19 Indian nationals, the Embassy said in a post on X. We are deeply saddened by the loss of one Indian national in this attack. Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. The Mission is coordinating with the RPSL and is in touch with the family of the deceased, it added. India has consistently reiterated the call for free and safe navigation in international waters and the unhindered flow of commerce through international waterways. (ANI)
One Indian seafarer killed, 19 rescued in attack on vessel off Oman coast
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) One Indian seafarer was killed and 19 others rescued after an attack on the commercial vessel MV Cape Dao off the east coast of Oman, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday, condemning the attack. We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel MV Cape Dao earlier today off the east coast of Oman. Of the 20 Indian seafarers on board, 19 have been rescued, while 1 Indian national tragically lost his life. We offer our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. Our Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with Omani authorities for the early repatriation of the Indian seafarers. We thank the Omani authorities for their support, the MEA said in a statement. The Ministry said the continuing attacks on commercial shipping in the region were deeply worrisome. We reiterate our call for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions and enable the early return of peace to the region. The targeting of commercial shipping, seafarers and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region must be restored at the earliest, the statement added. The Indian Embassy in Muscat said the vessel was attacked while transiting towards India and that it was coordinating with Omani authorities on the safety of all crew on board. We are closely monitoring the attack on MV Cape Dao today while transiting toward India, and are in close coordination with Omani authorities regarding the safety of all crew on board, including 19 Indian nationals. We are deeply saddened by the loss of one Indian national in this attack. The Mission extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. The Mission is coordinating with the RPSL and is in touch with the family of the deceased, the Embassy said in a post on X. On September 13, the MEA had condemned the attack on the commercial vessel MT El Gaia off the coast of Oman, which was carrying 14 Indian nationals, of whom 13 were rescued, and one went missing. Regarding the missing seafarer, this attack happened off the coast of Oman. It was a Panama flagship carrying 14 Indian nationals, or seafarers, of whom 13 have been rescued, and we deeply thank the Omani authorities for rescuing our nationals. One Indian national is missing; the seafarer was on board. Search and rescue operations continue with the help of the Omani authorities, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said.
Kabul-bound passenger held after sandalwood found in his hand baggage
Right To Vote Is Being Stolen: CJP Targets Election Commission, Announces Delhi Press Conference
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) said the right to vote must be saved before other issues facing the country can be addressed later. CJP on Wednesday said that they will first address election commission issue before school infrastructure and tribal education.
Delhi LG orders safety audit of all city parks with police patrolling within a week
The News Mill
Turkey Repays India's Fuel Debt By Crossing Kashmir Red Line At UNGA, Parrots Pakistan's Script
Turkey bought record diesel volumes from India in August as Russian supplies weakened and regional routes came under pressure. Kpler data cited by Reuters put the flow above 120,000 barrels per day, though another estimate was lower. Then Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised Kashmir at the UN General Assembly again publicly, urging dialogue under the UN Charter and relevant resolutions. India rejects that framing and any external intervention on Jammu and Kashmir. The present diesel flow is commercial trade, not humanitarian aid. But the contrast is politically sharp: Turkey draws on Indian refiners while maintaining deep defence and diplomatic ties with Pakistan. This video examines Ankaras fuel squeeze, Indias export opportunity, Erdogans Kashmir line and the uncomfortable question for New Delhi: when does a profitable fuel sale begin to ease pressure on a country acting against Indias strategic interests? It also revisits Indias Operation Dost help after Turkeys dire 2023 earthquake.
Police detain 191 foreign nationals in major crackdown
'They raped her on park benches, called their friends'
Police investigating the gangrape of a 17-year-old girl at Astha Kunj Park in New Delhi have revealed that the three accused followed the victim for nearly a kilometre before assaulting her at multiple secluded locations, coordinating their actions via phone calls. One accused, an advocate, was previously removed from a gym due to complaints about his behaviour. The probe also suggests the accused frequented the park and may have been involved in similar incidents, highlighting concerns about park security and lighting.
Eight United Democratic Party legislators join Bharatiya Janata Party in New Delhi
The eight legislators are Lahkmen Rymbui (Amlarem), former minister Kyrmen Shylla (Khliehriat), Olan Singh Suin (Mawsynram), Mathew Beyondstar Kurbah (Mawphlang), Mayralborn Syiem (Nongpoh), Pius Marwein (Ranikor), Synshar Thabah (Sohiong) and Balajied Synrem (Shella).
Indian Railways completes new line to bolster Raipur-Bhilai link
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) Indian Railways has achieved a major milestone in the Dallirajhara-Rowghat New Rail Line Project in Chhattisgarh with the completion of the final Taroki-Rowghat section of the project, which is a single- electrified broad-gauge line, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday. The CRS (Commission of Railway Safety) inspection and speed trial, an important process towards the commissioning of the new railway line, was carried out on Tuesday. During the inspection, the railway line, bridges and culverts, electrification, signalling and other safety and technical arrangements were examined. The operational capacity and safety standards of the rail section were also tested in accordance with prescribed procedure, the statement said. The Taroki-Rowghat section, covering 17.5 km, is part of the 95 km long Dallirajhara-Rowghat New Line Project and is located at a remote area of south Chhattisgarh. At present, railway services are available to passengers from Dallirajhara to Taroki. Train operations in the Taroki-Rowghat section will strengthen rail connectivity in the surrounding areas and provide better and convenient transportation options to the citizens of the region. The railway line will facilitate the transportation of iron ore to Bhilai Steel Plant, which will give a boost to the steel industry in the country. The railway line will also help in the transportation of agricultural products and local commercial goods and play an important role in connecting rural and remote areas with the wider railway network. It will significantly enhance connectivity of the region to the capital Raipur as well as to Bhilai, which is an educational hub of the state. Hence, improved rail connectivity will facilitate citizens access to opportunities related to education, health, employment and trade, the statement said. Expansion of rail transport will also promote tourism, investment and other economic activities in the region. This will boost business activities and contribute to the economic and social development of the region. The inspection and speed trial of the Taroki-Rowghat section mark important progress towards the commissioning of the Dallirajhara-Rowghat New Railway Line Project under the Raipur Division of the South East Central Railway in Chhattisgarh, the statement added.
FSSAI cracks down on Amazon, Swiggy, BigBasket, Zepto, Flipkart
New Delhi: Food regulator FSSAI on Wednesday, September 23, said it has initiated penal action against e-commerce platforms Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, BigBasket, Flipkart India and Zepto for various non-compliances, including misleading claims and sale of prohibited products. In a social media post, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) informed that it has 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 .
Highlights: Amrita Khanna and Gursi Singh make their LFW debut Bata chappals become sculptural heels Adarsh Balak inspires eveningwear Childhood schoolbook drawings become fashion The designers revisit pre-digital India Fifteen minutes after their London Fashion Week debut, Amrita Khanna and Gursi Singh were backstage at Lindley Hall in Victoria, still trying to process what had just happened. The Delhi-based designers and real-life partners had presented their Spring/Summer 2027 collection, India: IYKYK , to a room filled with international press, buyers, models and friends of the label. Singh was dressed in a black knit turtleneck and jeans. Khanna wore a voluminous shirt with her signature silver chain-link jewelry. Around them, models were changing and the backstage crew was dismantling the show equipment. While talking to Nodmag, Singh joked I think I need a drink. Yes, me too, Khanna replied. I dont think it has hit me yet. This all just feels too surreal and overwhelming. The collection they had just presented was deeply personal. Instead of looking at India through the familiar lens of elaborate occasionwear, the designers went back to the everyday visual memories of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. See on Instagram Looking back at an India before the internet For Khanna and Singh, the starting point was a world where images were made by hand. Before digital printing became commonplace, shop signs, billboards, and photo studio backdrops were often painted manually. Those details became the foundation for their London collection. There is so much talk about the handmade and craft, Singh said. With this collection, we wanted to explore the world that existed before digital printing: when signs, billboards, and photo studio backdrops were all painted by hand. Khanna found another connection to childhood. We all have that one memory of being forced to do it as kids, she said. That memory also gave the designers a way to connect India's handmade traditions with a much more contemporary conversation around technology and artificial intelligence. As creative industries increasingly debate what happens when machines can generate images and ideas in seconds, Khanna and Singh looked back at a time when making something by hand was simply part of everyday life. The Bata chappal becomes a fashion statement One of their most recognizable references came from something far less glamorous: the Bata chappal. The designers transformed the ubiquitous Indian footwear into kitten heels, giving an everyday object a completely different silhouette. A black band around the ankle added another familiar Indian detail, referencing the practice of using black to ward off the evil eye. The idea captures how Khanna and Singh approached the entire collection. They were not searching for exotic references or grand symbols of India. They were looking at things people had grown up seeing. The result was fashion that could carry a private memory into an international setting. From schoolbooks to the runway The designers also reached into childhood classrooms. An illustration of a human ear, taken from a primary school textbook, became a major motif on a blouse. A graphic of lips appeared on a skirt. Then came the Adarsh Balak imagery. The Seventies-era posters and comic charts depicting the expectations of an ideal boy from a middle-class Indian household became graphics for deconstructed eveningwear, styled with an obi belt. The references were specific enough to feel instantly familiar to an Indian audience while appearing unexpected to viewers encountering them for the first time. A memory of their mothers One of the collection's opening looks carried an even more intimate reference. A model walked out in a silk bra and sheer petticoat decorated with floral embroidery, her hair styled into a voluminous 1960s bouffant. Singh described it as one of his favorite looks because it reminded him of seeing their mothers in the moment before they put on their saris. That memory turned the look into something more than a retro reference. It captured a private domestic moment and placed it on an international runway. Their India was also playful Khanna and Singh's approach was not limited to nostalgia. Menswear included sleeveless vests with embroidered pants, white jackets with block-print panels, and chintz shorts. Denim became a canvas for embroidery and graphic treatments. One of the most unexpected moments featured two male models in matching black muscle tees and embroidered gray denim, walking with their pinkies locked. The show notes imagined them as two men crossing a market while discussing the price of onions. It was ordinary, slightly funny, and unmistakably grounded in everyday Indian life. Taking Indian visual culture beyond occasionwear Khanna and Singh's London debut arrives during a period when Indian designers are increasingly presenting work internationally without relying solely on traditional occasion wear. Their collection instead asked what happens when Indian fashion draws from the things people see every day: footwear, textbooks, painted advertisements, family photographs, and memories of childhood. That is what made India: IYKYK feel personal. For Khanna and Singh, the London runway was not simply a place to introduce a new collection. It became a way to take pieces of the India they remember, sometimes glamorous, sometimes ordinary, and often deeply specific, and let an international audience see them differently.
Southwest Monsoon Bids Premature Farewell to Delhi as IMD Declares Complete Withdrawal
SC to hear Mamata Banerjees plea against EC freezing Trinamool name, election symbol tomorrow
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) The Supreme Court is slated to hear on Thursday Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjees plea challenging the Election Commission of Indias (ECI) decision to freeze the partys name and its reserved election symbol amid an ongoing dispute between rival factions. As per the Cause List published on the website of the apex court, a Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana will hear the matter on September 24. The case is listed at serial number 26 before the CJI-led Bench as a fresh civil case for admission. Mamata Banerjee has filed the plea against the ECIs interim decision to freeze the name All India Trinamool Congress and its reserved Flowers and Grass election symbol amid the dispute between rival factions of the party. The petition names the Election Commission of India, its Secretary and rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee as respondents. On Monday, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Mamata Banerjee, had sought urgent listing of the plea before CJI Surya Kant. They (ECI) issue a by-poll notification and in the middle of the notification, they freeze the symbol. We want urgent listing, he submitted. At this, the CJI observed that the rival side would also have submissions to make and assured that the matter would be considered for listing. Both sides will have something to say. When the matter is listed, then argue. We will try to list, the CJI said. The plea was filed after the poll panel passed an interim order barring both factions from using the partys existing name and election symbol, observing that two rival groups were claiming to be the recognised political party. The ECI had said that the dispute required a substantive determination under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, and directed both groups to submit alternative names and symbols for the upcoming by-elections. The poll panel subsequently allotted the Mamata Banerjee-led faction the name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress and the football player symbol, while the rival faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee was allotted the name Democratic Trinamool Congress and the envelope symbol. The interim arrangement applies to the October 6 by-elections in West Bengal for the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies. The Mamata Banerjee-led faction has challenged the freezing of the partys established name and symbol pending a final determination of the dispute, maintaining that it does not accept the ECIs interim order. The rival camp led by expelled legislator Ritabrata Banerjee has claimed control over the partys organisational and legislative structures. The dispute over the partys organisational control had also spilled over into Parliament, where 20 rebel TMC Lok Sabha MPs had broken away and aligned themselves with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), claiming recognition as a separate parliamentary group. The Mamata Banerjee-led faction had challenged the delay by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in deciding disqualification petitions against the 20 rebel MPs under the anti-defection law. It has maintained that the MPs were elected on its symbol and that their subsequent decision to join another political formation attracts the provisions of the anti-defection law. However, the rebel faction has claimed the support of more than two-thirds of the Trinamool's Lok Sabha MPs and sought recognition as a separate parliamentary group. The organisational dispute subsequently reached the ECI, with both sides staking claim to the party name and symbol. The poll panels interim order stated that the temporary arrangement was intended to place the rival groups on an even footing and protect their respective rights and interests until a final determination of the dispute.
Festive crackdown: 22 of 30 khoya samples from Mori Gate fail safety tests
First day of PM Modi-chaired Chintan Shivir concludes with ministers presentations
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) The first day of the Union Cabinet's Chintan Shivir, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Seva Teerth, concluded on Wednesday with presentations made by several ministries on their respective initiatives and future plans, focusing on Viksit Bharat@2047, according to sources. The meeting will resume on Thursday morning for a further brainstorming session. The focused session is expected to review the governments work, discuss the road ahead, and identify key priorities for the next phase of governance. Unlike some earlier rounds of consultations involving a wider group of ministers, the latest session brings together only Cabinet ministers, making it a focused deliberation at the highest level of the Union government. The timing of the two-day meeting is significant. It follows a series of separate interactions Prime Minister Modi held with Ministers of State and Ministers of State with Independent Charge at his office. The sequence of meetings points to a structured exercise involving different levels of the Council of Ministers, with Cabinet ministers now making their own dedicated deliberations. According to government sources, the Chintan Shivir will broadly focus on taking stock of work already underway, planning the governments next steps and identifying further reforms and priorities linked to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The discussions are expected to cover the pace of implementation of government policies and schemes, delivery of public services, coordination between ministries, and ways to improve governance and ensure that government initiatives translate into results on the ground. The meeting is also taking place amid speculation in political circles about a possible Cabinet reshuffle. However, there has been no official confirmation from the government that the Chintan Shivir is linked to, or will result in, any reshuffle. The two-day deliberations provide Cabinet ministers an opportunity to assess progress across ministries, identify areas requiring greater coordination and discuss policy priorities that could shape the governments work in the coming period. The session at Seva Teerth also comes as the new government complex takes on a larger role in the functioning of the Prime Ministers Office and the Union government. The Chintan Shivir is expected to serve as an important platform for reviewing governance and implementation while charting the next set of priorities towards the governments long-term Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 23 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday appointed Sanjay Bhatia as its new in-charge for Rajasthan, with Rajya Sabha MP Kavita Patidar and Delhi BJP leader Kuljeet Singh Chahal named as Co-in-charges. The appointments are part of a wider organisational reshuffle covering 28 states and eight Union Territories. The new assignments were announced by BJP President Nitin Nabin and take effect immediately. Bhatia will now oversee the party's organisational affairs in Rajasthan, while Patidar and Chahal will assist him as Co-in-charges. The appointments come as the BJP prepares for the next phase of political activity in Rajasthan, including the state's Panchayati Raj elections. The BJP has also been undertaking organisational preparations at the grassroots level ahead of the upcoming polls. Bhatia, a senior BJP leader, has been given responsibility for Rajasthan as part of the latest national organisational reshuffle. His appointment places him at the centre of the BJP's organisational coordination in the state, where the party is currently in government under Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. Bhatia will be responsible for coordinating with the State BJP leadership and monitoring organisational activities across Rajasthan. The BJP has appointed two Co-in-charges to assist Bhatia in managing the party's organisational affairs in Rajasthan. Rajya Sabha MP Kavita Patidar has been appointed one of the two Co-in-charges. She hails from Madhya Pradesh and is a member of the BJP's national-level political organisation. Patidar will work alongside Bhatia as part of the new Rajasthan organisational team. Kuljeet Chahal, a Delhi BJP leader and member of the New Delhi Municipal Council, has been appointed the second Co-in-charge for Rajasthan. Chahal has been associated with the BJP's youth organisation and has held organisational responsibilities in Delhi. The Rajasthan appointments are part of a larger BJP organisational exercise covering 36 states and Union Territories. The BJP has appointed new in-charges and Co-in-charges in several states. Among the other major changes, Baijayant Jay Panda has been appointed Maharashtra In-charge, Vinod Tawde has been given charge of Uttar Pradesh, Smriti Irani has been assigned Chhattisgarh and Haryana, and Ram Madhav has been given responsibility for Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand. For Rajasthan, the new organisational team is In-charge: Sanjay Bhatia, co-in-charge: Kavita Patidar and co-in-charge: Kuljeet Chahal. The new appointments assume significance as the BJP continues to strengthen its organisational machinery in Rajasthan ahead of the next round of elections and grassroots-level political activity.
Delhi lawyers suspend protest after government delays motor vehicle rules amendment
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Delhi HC notice on PIL challenging 3-year Bar practice for Assistant Public Prosecutor posts
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the mandatory requirement of three years practice at the bar for direct recruitment to the post of Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) in Delhi. A bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia sought responses from the Union government, the Delhi government, and the Directorate of Prosecution on the plea filed by Bhumika Trust through advocate Jayant Singh Raghav. The petition challenges the three-year Bar experience condition prescribed under the Directorate of Prosecution, Government of NCT of Delhi, Assistant Public Prosecutor Recruitment Rules, 2025, notified on January 19, 2026. The petitioner contends that the requirement excludes otherwise qualified law graduates and newly enrolled advocates from even participating in the recruitment process solely because they have not completed three years of practice at the Bar. The petition argues that while professional competence and preparedness are legitimate objectives for recruitment to prosecutorial posts, three years of prior Bar practice cannot necessarily be treated as the only means of achieving those objectives. It contends that less exclusionary mechanisms, including structured induction training, probation, practical attachments and supervised prosecutorial training, could be considered to ensure professional preparedness. The plea states that an eligibility criterion which completely excludes an otherwise professionally qualified class from even participating in a competitive selection process must withstand scrutiny under the constitutional guarantees of equality and equality of opportunity in public employment. According to the plea, the Supreme Court, in its judgment in Ayush Yardi v. State of Madhya Pradesh, held that additional requirements relating to three years practice at the Bar or securing the prescribed marks in the first attempt could not operate against candidates with disabilities and struck down the requirements qua PwD candidates. The petition also refers to the Supreme Court's subsequent judgment in Bhumika Trust v. Union of India, which modified its earlier directions prescribing three years' practice for recruitment to the Civil Judge (Junior Division) cadre. The petitioner has submitted that the Supreme Court's modified framework demonstrates that professional preparedness for legal and judicial public office can also be achieved through structured institutional training and practical exposure, rather than exclusively through a fixed period of prior Bar practice. The petitioner has also cited recruitment practices in other states, referring to recruitment for Assistant District Attorney posts in Haryana and Assistant Prosecution Officer posts in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, where three years prior practice at the Bar was not prescribed as an essential eligibility condition. The petition contends that these recruitment models demonstrate the existence of alternative approaches to entry-level prosecutorial recruitment. The plea has also raised concerns regarding candidates with disabilities, particularly in view of the eight vacancies reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities in the ongoing Delhi APP recruitment. It submits that reservation by itself may not ensure substantive equality if an antecedent eligibility condition unjustifiably excludes otherwise qualified candidates from entering the zone of consideration. The petitioner has sought a declaration that the three-year practice requirement for direct recruitment to the post of Assistant Public Prosecutor is unconstitutional and arbitrary. It has also sought interim protection in relation to the ongoing recruitment, including a direction to provisionally permit otherwise educationally qualified candidates to submit applications and participate in the selection process, subject to the final outcome of the PIL.
PM SVANidhi scheme transforms lives of street vendors and small traders; beneficiaries thank govt
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) The Prime Minister Street Vendors AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme, launched in June 2020 as a first-of-its-kind micro-credit initiative for empowering street vendors, has brought notable change in the lives of small traders and street vendors, with beneficiaries from across the country - from J&K to Haryana to Madhya Pradesh, thanking the Central government for the benefits. A couple of street vendors from Tral in J&Ks Pulwama district told IANS that the financial assistance proved immensely beneficial for them and their small businesses. A vendor stated that the assistance greatly helped them in sustaining their livelihood and also urged the Kashmir youth to avail themselves of the loan facility provided by the government to either start or strengthen their own small businesses. In Madhya Pradeshs Neemuch, the PM SVANidhi scheme is transforming the fortunes of small traders. Pushcart operators and small shopkeepers, who previously struggled with a shortage of funds, are now obtaining loans without any hassle. The scheme has become a strong vehicle for self-reliance, particularly for women. Neemuch CMO (Chief Municipal Officer) Durga Bamaniya told newsmen, The PM SVANidhi scheme was implemented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to empower street vendors and small retail traders financially during the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that women vendors benefited significantly from the scheme. A beneficiary named Priyanka Jain said, I live in Neemuch. I received a loan of Rs 10,000 from the municipality. With that loan, I procured raw materials for incense sticks and started a new business. It has been very beneficial for me. As a woman, I would like to say that what the Prime Minister is doing for women is excellent; he has empowered women from middle-class and impoverished backgrounds. Another beneficiary, Rekha Prajapati, shared, I received a loan of Rs 10,000 under the PM SVANidhi scheme. We manufacture and sell earthenware. This scheme has greatly benefited me and many other women like me. We used to stay at home, but now we have the opportunity to step out and work. Beneficiary Gopal Krishna Chhabra said, I repaid the Rs 10,000 loan on time. Earlier, I was operating on a small scale, but receiving the loan has been beneficial; I have expanded my market reach. I deal in whole spices, selling packets ranging from 10 grams to 100 grams. In Haryanas Panipat, the PM SVANidhi has given small businesses a chance to stand on their own feet. The story of Govind, a vegetable vendor, serves as a prime example. Govind, who used to work as a labourer before the lockdown, started selling vegetables afterwards. Under the scheme, he received loans of Rs 10,000, then Rs 20,000, and subsequently Rs 50,000. He shared that he operates his cart daily from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. After covering all expenses, he manages to save between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000 a month. He uses these savings to pay the loan instalment of Rs 3,100 and cover his family's living expenses. His family consists of eight members, including two children, two daughters-in-law, and grandchildren. Govind further shared that in recognition of his work, he was invited to Delhi to meet the Prime Minister on Republic Day. Similarly, Sunita established a livelihood through the scheme. She initially started a tea cart, but it did not succeed. She then took another loan to set up a chowmein cart. She availed loans of Rs 10,000, then Rs 20,000, and finally Rs 50,000 in 2024, and she has been repaying all instalments on time. Expressing gratitude to PM Modi, Sunita noted that she used to do odd jobs previously and the cart now covers the household expenses as well as her children's needs.
