No tree-cutting in 5km of Taj Mahal without nod: SC
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday reiterated its 2015 directive restricting tree felling within 5-km aerial distance of the Taj Mahal in Agra without its nod. The court was hearing a plea by environmentalist MC Mehta seeking directions to prevent the Taj from hazards. The Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), an area of 10,400 square-kilometre, spreads across Agra, Firozabad, Mathura, Hathras, and Etah districts in UP and Bharatpur in Rajasthan. A bench of justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan said tree felling in areas within TTZ beyond the 5 km distance of the monument will require the prior permission of the central empowered committee and bound by the provisions of UP Tree Preservation Act.
Bomb threat emails received by multiple district collectorates in UP, turn out to be hoax
A security alert was triggered in Uttar Pradesh after emails claiming bomb threats were sent to four district collectorate offices in Firozabad, Aligarh, Barabanki, and Chandauli. Authorities swiftly evacuated and searched the buildings, but no explosives or suspicious items were discovered.
UP Cop Mistakenly Names Judge As Accused In Theft Case, Suspended
In Uttar Pradesh's Firozabad, a judge ordered a cop to issue a non-bailable warrant against a man who was accused of theft. The police officer, instead of listing the accused, 'mistakenly' named the judge in the warrant.
Courtroom Mix-Up: UP Cop Who Referred To Judge As Accused To Face Enquiry
In a bizarre mix-up, a police sub-inspector (SI) wrote a magistrate's name instead of the accused in a theft case while complying with the proclamation order in Uttar Pradesh's Firozabad district.
Comedy of Errors: UP police inspector serves warrant to his own judge in a case of mistaken identity
In a comical mishap in Firozabad, SI Banwarilal mistakenly served a court proclamation to Chief Judicial Magistrate Nagma Khan herself, instead of the intended theft suspect. The officer's blunder, stemming from a misread document, led him to report the judge as unlocatable.
LUCKNOW: Rains accompanied by hailstorm and lightning lashed some parts of Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, leaving five persons dead in Firozabad, Siddharth Nagar and Sitapur districts, officials said. State capital Lucknow was among the places, which received rains. Firozabad Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Vishu Raja said that two people were killed due to lightning in the district. A 30-year-old pregnant woman Lalita Devi was killed after being struck by lightning in Daulatpur village of Narkhi area, while a 32-year-old man identified as Padav Veer Singh was killed in Chinari village of Jasrana area. The ADM said the family members of the deceased will be given financial assistance. Ghanshyam (40), a labourer, died after being struck by lightning in Siddharthnagar. The incident took place in Gaura Mangua village when he was going for work in rains, officials said. In Sitapur, two persons died in separate incidents due to heavy thunderstorms and lightning. Harishchandra (25) died due to lightning in Moch Khurd village in Biswan Police Station area when he was working in his field, while 55-year-old Kusuma Devi died when a wall collapsed on her due to heavy rains in Rasoolpur village in Sakran Police Station area. Taking note of the unseasonal rains, lightning and hailstorm, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials of the affected districts to carry out relief operations with full urgency and preparedness. The chief minister instructed district authorities to visit the affected areas, closely monitor relief efforts and ensure immediate assistance to those impacted by the adverse weather conditions, an official statement issued here said. In cases of loss of life or livestock due to lightning, storms, heavy rain or hailstorms, ensure immediate distribution of relief funds to the affected families, he said. Adityanath also emphasized that those injured must receive prompt and adequate medical treatment. Highlighting the ongoing government wheat procurement process, the chief minister directed that all necessary precautions be taken to ensure safe storage of wheat at procurement centers and mandis. He also instructed officials to conduct a thorough survey of crop damage and submit a detailed report to the government for appropriate action. In areas affected by waterlogging, Adityanath called for immediate drainage arrangements, ensuring the issue is addressed on a priority basis. This will enable the administration to initiate appropriate follow-up action and support to the affected farmers. The weather office said heavy rains and lightning are likely in Kaushambi, Varanasi, Jaunpur, Ghazipur, Azamgarh, Lucknow, Barabanki and Raebareli.
Kanpur ordnance factory employee arrested for leaking sensitive information to ISI operative
LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (UP ATS), on Wednesday, nabbed an employee of Kanpur Ordnance Factory for allegedly sharing classified and sensitive information with a Pakistani intelligence operative through social media. According to an official statement issued by UP ATS, accused, identified as Kumar Vikas, was employed as a Junior Works Manager at the Kanpur Ordnance Factory. The accused was allegedly in constant touch with a suspected Pakistani agent who used the dummy name 'Neha Sharma', said the statement. As per the probe revelations, Kumar Vikas had been fetching confidential documents and sensitive data related to ordnance manufacturing, employee attendance sheets, machine layouts, and production charts via WhatsApp too his ISI handlers. This was the second such arrest within five days. UP ATS had also arested another employee Ravindra Kumar of Firozabad ordnance factory. Kumar Vikas had also been in touch with Ravindra Kumar and both were honey trapped 'Neha Sharma' of ISI. Vikas had been sharing documents like daily production report, details of machinery installed in the Kanpur factory. Subsequently, the UP ATS has started operation on the ISI network active in Kanpur Ordnance Factory. Following the arrest of Ravindra Kumar of Firozabad ordnance factory, UP ATS got a tip-off that Kumar Vikas, who was working on the post of junior works manager, was in constant contact with ISI handlers. After thorough investigation, UP ATS found that he had come in contact with Neha Sharma through a social media platform Facebook in 2025. The investigation revealed that Neha Sharma had posed as an employee of BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd) and exchanged phone numbers with both Kumar Vikas and Ravindra Kumar through messenger. Kumar Vikas, a resident of village Shahjahanpur under Shetti police station area of Kanpur Dehat, used to talk to Neha Sharma through Ludo App. He used to share crucial and confidential information with Neha Sharma in lieu of money. UP ATS claimed that the sharing of info by Kumar Vikas under a criminal conspiracy could have been used by the Pakistan intelligence agency to dent unity and integrity of the country.
44 years later, justice catches up with three convicts of Dehuli massacre
LUCKNOW: Justice, though delayed, was finally served as a special court in Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, sentenced three men to death for the brutal massacre of 24 Dalits in Dehuli village of Jasrana, Firozabad district, 44 years ago in 1981. On March 12 this year, special judge Indira Singh convicted Kaptan Singh (60), Rampal (60), and Ram Sevak (70) for their role in the killings. Apart from the death sentence, the court imposed a penalty of Rs 2 lakh each on Kaptan Singh and Rampal, while Ram Sevak was fined Rs 1 lakh. Following the courts order, all three convicts were taken to Mainpuri district jail under police custody. They were produced in the special court at 11:30 am amid tight security. As the verdict was pronounced, the convicts broke down in the courtroom, while their relatives, waiting outside, wept as they were taken to jail. Prosecutor Rohit Shukla, representing the government, presented witnesses and evidence to establish the crime and sought the death penalty for all three. After hearing all arguments, the court delivered its verdict in the afternoon. The convicts have the right to challenge the special courts order in the High Court within 30 days. Jail sources stated that the convicts would be kept under observation in a quarantine barrack for 14 days before being moved to regular barracks. The horrific massacre took place on 18 November 1981, when a gang of 17 dacoits, led by Radhe and Santosha, stormed Dehuli village around 4:30 pm, disguised as policemen. The gang targeted a Dalit family, suspecting them to be police informers, and gunned down 24 people, including two children aged just six months and two years. Nine others were injured in the attack. An FIR was lodged by local resident Laik Singh on 19 November 1981. The case was registered under IPC Sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), and 396 (dacoity with murder), among other charges. During the prolonged trial, 14 of the accused died, while one was declared an absconder. The gravity of the incident had prompted then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to meet the affected families. Meanwhile, opposition leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee undertook a padyatra from Dehuli to Sadupur in Firozabad to express solidarity with the bereaved families.
UP Man, Lured By Pak Agent 'Neha', Arrested For Leaking Defence Info
Uttar Pradesh's Anti-Terrorism Squad has arrested a man working in an ordnance factory in Firozabad on suspicion of spying for Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence, or ISI.
Video: Right-wing group harasses women at fair in UP, sparks outrage
In a disturbing incident, a group of young Muslim women was targeted by right-wing Hindutva men at a fair in Uttar Pradeshs Milikhan Jahanpur village of Firozabad city. The incident came to light on Saturday, February 9 when a video of the intimidation surfaced on social media, igniting widespread condemnation and outrage. The widely circulated 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 .
'One District One Product' Exhibited At Maha Kumbh
Items such as carpets, glass toys from Firozabad, and wooden toys from Varanasi are being showcased under the Centre's 'One District One Product' (ODOP) initiative at the Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, an official statement said on Sunday.
Mahakumbh 2025: UP handicrafts set for trade worth Rs 35 crore at ODOP exhibition
LUCKNOW: Mahakumbh-2025, a massive congregation of pilgrims along the banks of Sangam, is providing a platform for the artisans of Uttar Pradesh. Devotees, besides seeking spiritual fulfilment, are thronging the exhibition of 'One District, One Product' (ODOP), set up over 6,000 square metre area showcasing an array of exquisite handicrafts of the state. Be it the exquisite carpets of Bhadohi and Mirzapur, or intricate zari-zardozi, Katan silk quintessential to Banaras reflecting the ethos of the most ancient city of world, Firozabad's glass work, Moradabads brass work or fine wooden art pieces of Saharanpurall narrating the richness of handicraft industry of the state. Sharad Tandon, Joint Commissioner of Industries in Prayagraj Division, underscores the remarkable growth in trade from Mahakumbh held in 2019. In 2019, the turnover of handicraft industry was Rs 4.30 crore, but this time we are expecting a turnover of up to Rs 35 crore, an approximately eight times jump in the revenue from ODOP. This remarkable increase will offer new opportunities to the artisans while empowering small entrepreneurs, says Tandon. Adding another dimension to the event, Flipkart has set up a stall where local entrepreneurs are being offered a free sales opportunity. Artisans and handicraft sellers can now sell their products through Flipkart platform without any charge. It has been drawing shoppers in hoards. The exhibition is showcasing various crafts and Geographical Indication (GI) products. According to Dr Rajnikant, a GI expert, 75 GI products from the state are on display at ODOP exhibition in mela area. Among the 75 GI products, 34 are from the Kashi region, which has played an important role in securing the GI tag, offering recognition and protection to these unique crafts. Dr Rajnikant also mentioned efforts to bring other iconic products like Banaras Thandai, Lal Peda, and Banarasi Tabla to the global stage. The GI products up for grabs include Varanasi red chilies, Banarasi sarees, Pratapgarh amla and delicacies made of it, brass utensils from Mirzapur, and Gorakhpur terracotta. Additionally, carpets from Kushinagar and glass toys and utensils from Firozabad are top selling items at the exhibition. Visitors from across India and abroad are grabbing the opportunity to purchase products from local artisans, highlighting the growing popularity of this handcrafted treasure.
